BEIJING — Vice-Premier Han Zheng on Feb 13 stressed solid efforts to further protect biological diversity.

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when presiding over a meeting of China National Committee for Biodiversity Conservation.

Despite the substantial progress that has been made, more needs to be done to stop the current decline in biodiversity, he said.

In order to offer the highest level of protection for biodiversity, Han stressed establishing a management system for protected nature areas by establishing a network of national parks, nature reserves and parks.

He urged stepping up protection of wild fauna and flora with strengthened oversight and cracking down on related illegalities, adding that biodiversity should be supported with the optimal institutional and legal framework.

Han also called for making preparations to host the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in China next year.