China should implement the strategic plans for ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin, and unswervingly follow the path of modernization that gives priority to ecology and green development, President Xi Jinping said on Friday 

He made the remarks while addressing a symposium in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, after his two-day inspection tour of the region. 

The Yellow River is the second-longest river in China, measuring 5,464 km in length, and the Yellow River basin is an important ecological barrier which is strategically significant for China's national development and modernization. 

Prioritizing ecology and green development 

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, emphasized properly handling the relationship between economic growth and environmental protection of the Yellow River basin. 

Ecological protection is a red line for development and construction along the Yellow River and the upper limit for the utilization of resources, especially water resources should be strictly observed, he said. 

Firmly following the path of green and low-carbon development, the Chinese President called for efforts to promote reform in the quality, efficiency and driving force of economic development in the basin. 

The outdated capacity and production processes with high carbon emissions should be phased out, and efforts should be made to ensure a stable supply of coal and electricity and ensure economic and social performance, noted Xi. 

During the first day of his tour in Shandong, he inspected the estuary of the Yellow River, checked the river's waterways, the ecological environment of the wetlands in the river delta, and learned about the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin.  

Notable progress should be achieved 

He also urged notable progress in ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River basin during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). 
   
Efforts are needed in accelerating the building of a defense line against natural disasters, promoting ecological and environmental protection, and enhancing comprehensive management of the Yellow River basin, he added. 

Noting that rare floods has hit some regions along the Yellow River basin since late July, he stressed implementing work in post-disaster recovery and reconstruction and urged officials to ensure electricity and heating for people's daily lives. 

He said on Thursday that the relocation of residents from the flood plain of the Yellow River is an extraordinary feat when visiting a residential community of relocated residents in the city of Dongying, east China's Shandong Province. 

During the inspection, he spoke highly of Shandong's development since the 19th CPC National Congress, encouraging officials to make the region the lead in serving and integrating into the new development pattern.