IV. Strengthening CPC leadership in building an ecological civilization
四、加强党对生态文明建设的领导
The battle to prevent and control pollution is one in which we must act with urgency to overcome burdensome tasks and difficult challenges. In this bitter and unrelenting fight, it is essential that we strengthen the leadership of the CPC. The Decisions of the Central Committee of the CPC and the State Council on Comprehensively Enhancing Eco-environmental Protection to Completely Win the Battle Against Pollution introduced comprehensive plans for pollution prevention and control. All government departments and local authorities must raise their awareness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in terms of the big picture, follow the leadership core, and stay aligned with the center, firmly uphold the authority and centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, undertake their political duties in building an ecological civilization with determined commitment, and fully implement the Central Committee's decisions and plans.
打好污染防治攻坚战时间紧、任务重、难度大，是一场大仗、硬仗、苦仗，必须加强党的领导。党中央、国务院印发《关于全面加强生态环境保护坚决打好污染防治攻坚战的意见》，对打好污染防治攻坚战作出全面部署。各地区各部门要增强“四个意识”，坚决维护党中央权威和集中统一领导，坚决担负起生态文明建设的政治责任，全面贯彻落实党中央决策部署。
Local CPC committee and government leaders bear primary responsibility for environmental protection and overall responsibility for environmental quality in their administrative districts. Therefore, they should personally make arrangements for important tasks, conduct inquires into major issues, coordinate work in key processes, and supervise cases of note, ensuring that duties are performed and directives are put into effect at all levels. All relevant departments must properly fulfill their environmental protection obligations and stay on top of environmental responsibilities in their jurisdictions, with departments in charge of development, production, and industry working with the understanding that they are also bound to protect the environment. We must move quickly to introduce a list of environmental protection responsibilities for the relevant departments of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Government so that all departments abide by their duties, coordinate with each other to effectively divide tasks, and put forth a concerted effort. People's congresses at all levels and their standing committees must make building an ecological civilization a focal point of their work, conduct compliance inspections, and regularly hear and deliberate work reports from governments at the corresponding level.
地方各级党委和政府主要领导是本行政区域生态环境保护第一责任人，对本行政区域的生态环境质量负总责，要做到重要工作亲自部署、重大问题亲自过问、重要环节亲自协调、重要案件亲自督办，压实各级责任，层层抓落实。各相关部门要履行好生态环境保护职责，谁的孩子谁抱，管发展的、管生产的、管行业的部门必须按“一岗双责”的要求抓好工作。要抓紧出台中央和国家机关相关部门生态环境保护责任清单，使各部门守土有责、守土尽责，分工协作、共同发力。各级人大及其常委会要把生态文明建设作为重点工作领域，开展执法检查，定期听取并审议同级政府工作情况报告。
We must establish empirical and rational evaluation and assessment systems, making the results of these assessments an important basis for decisions on rewarding, punishing, or promoting officials at all levels. We must put in place the strictest checks on accountability. Ancient Chinese wisdom tells us that the purpose of reward and punishment is to uphold virtue and condemn evil. Only by having the will to strictly and earnestly hold officials that harm the environment to account and making them bear responsibility for the rest of their lives can we ensure that our rules do not become superficial threats that bend at will with no substance to back them up. There are some areas which have seen numerous and incessant environmental problems, and despite being exposed and admonished, the Party and government officials responsible have not only just escaped punishment, but even been transferred and promoted to more important positions. This is absolutely absurd, and cannot be allowed to continue. We must put a spotlight on certain representative cases of negative behavior, particularly those involving damage to the environment. By rigorously investigating and strictly handling these cases, we will ascertain the truth of the facts and warn others against engaging in similar behavior.
要建立科学合理的考核评价体系，考核结果作为各级领导班子和领导干部奖惩和提拔使用的重要依据。要实施最严格的考核问责。“刑赏之本，在乎劝善而惩恶。”对那些损害生态环境的领导干部，只有真追责、敢追责、严追责，做到终身追责，制度才不会成为“稻草人”、“纸老虎”、“橡皮筋”。有些地方生态环境问题多发频发，被约谈、被曝光，当地党政负责人不但没受处罚，反倒升迁了、重用了，真是咄咄怪事！这种事情决不允许再发生！要狠抓一批反面典型，特别是要抓住破坏生态环境的典型案例不放，严肃查处，以正视听，以儆效尤。
We must foster a strong environmental protection corps composed of capable and uncompromising members with strong political consciousness and a willingness to take on responsibility who will fight through any hardship in their devotion to the cause. In the fight to prevent and control pollution, there are some that must face uncomfortable realities. Party committees and governments at all levels must show care and support for the development of our environmental protection corps, and actively assist officials who are ready and willing to take action.
要建设一支生态环境保护铁军，政治强、本领高、作风硬、敢担当，特别能吃苦、特别能战斗、特别能奉献。打好污染防治攻坚战，是得罪人的事。各级党委和政府要关心、支持生态环境保护队伍建设，主动为敢干事、能干事的干部撑腰打气。
The great responsibility of building an ecological civilization has already fallen upon the shoulders of our generation. The entire Party and people of all ethnic groups throughout the country must rally closely around the CPC Central Committee and work together as one as we face the challenges ahead, vigorously promote an ecological civilization, and strive to achieve moderate prosperity throughout society and open a new stage in the development of a beautiful China!
建设生态文明的时代责任已经落在了我们这代人的肩上。全党全国各族人民要紧密团结在党中央周围，齐心协力，攻坚克难，大力推进生态文明建设，为全面建成小康社会、开创美丽中国建设新局面而努力奋斗！
(This speech was delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the National Conference on Environmental Protection, May 18, 2018.)
（这是习近平总书记2018年5月18日在全国生态环境保护大会上的讲话。）