Protection of Yellow River a major national strategy: Xi

ZHENGZHOU - President Xi Jinping said Wednesday that the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin are a major national strategy.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while chairing a symposium Wednesday during his inspection tour to Henan Province.

"The protection of the Yellow River is critical to the great rejuvenation and sustainable development of Chinese nation," said Xi.

Noting that the peace of the Yellow River is significant to the stability of China, Xi said Chinese people have struggled against the floods and droughts of the Yellow River since ancient times, and the Party and the state have attached great importance to the harnessing and development of the Yellow River after the founding of New China in 1949.

Xi also pointed out difficulties and problems in protecting the Yellow River, including fragile ecological environment, severe condition of the water resources preservation and development quality that needs to be improved.