Top leaders have called for efforts to deepen reforms and establish the framework institutions of the ecological civilization.

Building the ecological civilization is a key part of China’s overall development strategy and governments at all levels should bear in mind that clear waters and green mountains are invaluable assets, said President Xi, according to a statement released on Dec 2 by the central government.

More should be done to institutionalize and legalize ecological civilization, promote green, renewable and low-carbon growth and make our way of production and life resource-saving and environmentally-friendly, President Xi pointed out.

Building the ecological civilization is of significance to economic and social development, which is also the cornerstone of sustainable development, said Premier Li Keqiang in an instruction to a meeting on Dec 2.

Efforts should be made to optimize industrial structure, cultivate environment-friendly driving forces, set up long-term environment protection mechanism, strengthen regulation, and promote pollution management, Premier Li said in the instruction.

Vice-premier Zhang Gaoli said at the meeting that major progress has been made to build ecological civilization but the level of progress lags the economic and social development.

Efforts should be made to promote green urbanization, build green and low-carbon industrial system, strengthen environment inspection, and advocate efficiency and conservation of resources, he said.