China has followed the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" and its endeavors in ecological civilization construction and environmental protection have seen historic, transformative and sweeping changes in the past decade, said Zhai Qing, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Leadership Group of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and vice minister, at a press conference in Beijing.

The Press Center for the 20th CPC National Congress held its fifth press conference on Friday. Zhai briefed media on China's environmental protection and ecological civilization.