XINING — Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli has underlined the importance of environmental protection in Northwest China’s Qinghai province.

Zhang made the remarks during a visit to Qinghai between Nov 23 and 24.

As an important shield for China’s ecological security, the province should make clear areas that are off-limits for development and the rules for access to create natural space in which people and nature co-exist in harmony, Zhang said.

Qinghai should build a green and sustainable industrial system with its own distinctive features and push ahead construction of projects including the Qilian Mountain water conservation area and the region surrounding the Qinghai Lake, Zhang said.

He also said that the environment supervision system and the natural resource asset management mechanism must be improved.

Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli visits Xining Special Steel Co, Ltd in Xining, capital of Northwest China’s Qinghai province, Nov 23, 2017. Zhang paid a visit to Qinghai on environmental protection from Nov 23 to 24.[Photo/Xinhua]

Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli presides over a symposium on building ecological civilization in Northwest China’s Qinghai province, Nov 24, 2017. Zhang paid a visit to Qinghai on environmental protection from Nov 23 to 24.[Photo/Xinhua]

Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli visits an ecological environment monitoring center in Northwest China’s Qinghai province, Nov 24, 2017. Zhang paid a visit to Qinghai on environmental protection from Nov 23 to 24.[Photo/Xinhua]