On December 6, 2021, the National Office of Philosophy and Social Science issued the list of major bidding projects of the National Social Science Foundation of China (NSSFC) for the year 2021. The team of Researcher Zhu Xuehong declared the major bidding project of NSSFC, her research on the mechanism of efficient utilization of natural resources and economic security and high-quality development won the project in the fierce competition. The major projects of NSSFC are the highest level, the most heavily funded and the most authoritative national government fund projects in the field of philosophy and social sciences in China at this stage. Back in 2013, Researcher Zhu has won her first major bidding project of NSSFC, and was approved by the National Office of Philosophy and Social Science to conclude the project without inspection. This is her second major project of NSSFC.

At present, there are still some problems in the management of natural resources in China, such as extensive utilization and low intensive and economical use of resources, leading to serious ecological damage and high external dependence on some key raw materials, which seriously affects economic security and high-quality development. This project is based on the strategic goal of ensuring economic security and promoting high-quality development, and focuses on the two basic issues of “how to scientifically reveal the inherent laws of efficient natural resources utilization, economic security and high-quality development, and clarify the mechanisms of their influencing factors” and “how to scientifically identify the interaction mechanisms of efficient natural resources utilization, economic security and high-quality development, and design targeted synergistic policies”. It defines the scientific connotations, clarifies the inherent laws, influence mechanisms and interactions between the efficient use of natural resources and economic security and high-quality development. It also proposes policy recommendations to promote the synergy.

The research will enrich and expand the theory and methods of resource security, and has great theoretical value and practical significance for promoting the comprehensive establishment of an efficient natural resource utilization system, the construction of ecological civilization, and the guarantee of natural resource security.