New Books Network In Search of Green China: Ma Tianjie on Pan Yue and the CCP’s “Ecological Civilization"
Oct 18, 2025
Ma Tianjie, a Beijing-based journalist and environmental activist, delves into the life of Pan Yue, a key figure in developing China's concept of 'ecological civilization.' They discuss how this idea melds traditional culture with eco-Marxism. Ma highlights the Huai River crisis and its role in public awakening about pollution, as well as the challenges of navigating authoritarian policies versus sustainable development. He critiques the selective use of cultural narratives, explores the geopolitical context, and examines whether a radical ecological transformation is feasible in China.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Huai River Pollution Awakening
- The Huai River transformed into a sewage-filled waterway after rapid 1990s industrialization using primitive technologies.
- Photographer Huo Daishan documented blinded monkeys and cancer villages, motivating local activism and investigations.
Photographer Turned Environmental Investigator
- Huo Daishan quit local government work to investigate cancer clusters and document pollution with thousands of photos.
- His reports found cancer rates 15–24 times higher in affected villages, personalizing the environmental crisis.
Two Competing Marxist Imperatives
- Debates revealed two Marxist impulses: rapid growth of productive forces versus recognizing biophysical limits.
- Officials saw environmental damage as a material barrier to sustained economic development and labor health.
