BEIJING — Vice-Premier Han Zheng called for continuous efforts to promote environmental protection.

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks on May 18 when chairing a symposium held at the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences.

He emphasized efforts to continuously intensify the prevention and control of water pollution and effectively ensure the safety of drinking water.

More work should be done to strengthen aquatic ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation in the Yangtze River basin, promote ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin and facilitate ecological protection in the follow-up planning of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, he said.

Han called for efforts on enhancing air-pollution control in key areas, including the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and neighboring areas, consolidating and expanding the achievements of China's three-year battle for blue skies, to ensure the continuous improvement of air quality.

He also urged a clear timetable and road map for peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality. Efforts should be made to optimize the energy structure and establish a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy system.