China has achieved remarkable progress in building a circular economy since enacting its Circular Economy Promotion Law in 2009, according to Wang Dongming, Vice-Chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee. The announcement came during a legislative session reviewing the implementation of the landmark environmental legislation.
Inspections conducted from July to October across 16 cities in six provinces revealed substantial advancements in resource efficiency and ecological civilization construction. The comprehensive review demonstrated how circular economy principles have become integral to China’s green transformation of socioeconomic development.
Statistical highlights from 2024 reveal the scale of China’s recycling achievements: over 400 million metric tons of ten major renewable resource categories were recycled nationwide. Waste paper constituted 70% of this total, while scrap steel accounted for 21%. Additionally, China utilized 3.97 billion tons of bulk solid waste, representing 59% of the total waste generated.
The resource recycling industry has emerged as both an economic powerhouse and employment generator, with total output exceeding 4 trillion yuan ($550 billion) in 2024 while providing jobs for more than 35 million people.
Financial mechanisms have played a crucial role in this transition. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China allocated more than 117 billion yuan to support resource recycling initiatives. The government has established specialized funds targeting waste electrical equipment, manufacturing transformation, and green finance mechanisms to bolster waste recycling systems and green industries.
Government procurement practices have further reinforced these efforts, with energy-saving and environmentally friendly products now comprising over 85% of government purchases within their respective categories. Wang emphasized that recycled resources are playing an increasingly vital role in safeguarding national resource security, marking a significant shift toward sustainable development models.