BEIJING: In his first trip to an autonomous region since the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) last October, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from Monday to Thursday.
During the fact-finding trip, Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called on the region to adhere to its strategic position and pursue green development that prioritizes ecological protection.
Efforts should also be made to pursue a new development philosophy and forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation so as to strive to write a new chapter of Chinese modernization, he said.
Located at the apex of the meandering bends of the Yellow River, Wuliangsu Lake is the biggest lake wetland of the Yellow River basin, and with functions like regulating water flow, improving water quality, and preventing ice formation and flooding, it is a hub of ecological functions in north China.
With the lake as the first stop of his inspection tour, Xi has stressed the integrated protection and systematic management of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grass and sand.
Over the past decade, Inner Mongolia has planted 122 million mu of trees and 286 million mu of grass, with the area of desertified land continuously reduced, data from the regional government showed.
While affirming the achievements the region has made, Xi also highlighted the importance of continuous efforts in promoting green development.
The top priority of Inner Mongolia’s development lies in transforming and upgrading the traditional energy industry, vigorously developing green energy, and strengthening the country’s major energy base, he said. –The Daily Mail-CGTN news exchange item
