We start here in Beijing, where a national conference on environmental protection wrapped up today. President Xi Jinping said China will fight pollution and promised to take environmental protection to a new level. 

President Xi Jinping told the two-day national conference that China will balance its economic and social development with environmental protection. He said environmental protection is becoming stronger in China. But he said this process has reached a critical period and it must meet people's need for a better environment. China has entered a time when significant environmental problems can be solved.

Xi Jinping said six principles must be adhered to. First, build a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. Focus on saving, protecting, and natural restoration. Second, green hills and clean waters are China's gold and silver mines. China's development must be based on innovation, coordination, environmentalism, openness, and sharing. Third, a better environment makes better livelihoods. Fourth, the whole of nature is a living community so environmentalism must be comprehensive. Fifth, the environment must be protected with strict laws. Sixth, deeply participate in global environmental management.

Xi Jinping said China will speed up a system of environmental protection and promote a comprehensive green development. He said that to improve people's livelihoods, priority must be given to dealing with significant ecological and environmental problems, and preventing the dangers they pose. He said environmental security will ensure the sustained and healthy development of the economy and society. And he called for the establishment of a fair, cooperative and win-win global system to manage the climate.