BEIJING — An article by President Xi Jinping on ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin will be published on Oct 16 in the 20th issue of the Qiushi Journal this year.

The article is a transcript of a speech by Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, at a symposium during his inspection tour to Central China's Henan province in mid-September.

The article stresses adherence to prioritizing ecological conservation and boosting green development, and calls for joint efforts from various sectors to protect the river and facilitate high-quality development of the basin.

It highlights the Yellow River basin's important role in the country's economic and social development and ecological security, adding that ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin is regarded as a major national strategy.

Noting the tremendous achievements in harnessing the Yellow River after the founding of New China in 1949, the article points out that difficulties and problems still exist, with the risk of flooding as the biggest threat.

Efforts should be made in pushing for environmental protection, long-term stability, efficient use of water resources, high-quality development of the basin, as well as the protection, inheritance and promotion of the Yellow River culture, according to the article.