Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of protecting the Yellow River's ecological environment and called for concerted efforts to promote its protection and high-quality development at a symposium on Wednesday, during his inspection tour to central China's Henan Province.

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Noting that the Yellow River basin is both an important ecological barrier and economic zone in China, Xi hailed its significance in poverty alleviation, economic and social development and ecological security.

The protection and development of the Yellow River, supporting local people in fighting poverty, solving the issues of flood control, drinking water safety, and ecological security, will help maintain social stability and promote national unity, Xi said.

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Xi pointed out that the the Yellow River has made remarkable achievements in control and protection work, bringing positive changes to the economic and social development of the Yellow River basin and to local people's livelihood.

The water and sand control achieved remarkable results. The ecological environment continued to improve, new economic growth points have emerged, and local people's livelihood has improved significantly. Meanwhile, Xi also pointed out difficulties and problems such as the fragile ecological environment and water scarcity situation.

He said future work should focus on strengthening environmental protection, ensuring the long-term stability of the Yellow River. It should promote conservation of water resources and high-quality development of the river basin, while protecting, inheriting and promoting the Yellow River culture, which is an important part of Chinese civilization.