Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for long-term input and an innovative approach to consolidate and develop the green ecological barrier in north China.

Xi made the remarks as he made instructions on the construction of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program.

The program is a major ecological project implemented together with the reform and opening up drive, and a signature project in building an ecological civilization, he said.

Thanks to unremitting efforts made over the past 40 years, the program has generated significant ecological, economic and social benefits, and become a successful model in international ecological management, Xi added.

But the president also warned that the ecological system in the Three-North regions, namely the northeastern, northern and northwestern regions, remained fragile.

Continued efforts in promoting the program would not only boost regional sustainable development, but also the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, Xi added.

Premier Li Keqiang made written instructions, calling for continued efforts to push forward the program while making overall consideration for demand and factors such as water resource carrying capacity.

A meeting about the program was convened in Beijing Friday, giving awards to individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the program.

According to the meeting, forest coverage has grown to 13.57 percent from 5.05 percent in 1977 in areas where the program was implemented.

Vice Premier Han Zheng said at the meeting that construction of the program still faced difficulties and challenges, calling for greater effort to protect the ecological environment, promote high-quality development of the program and consolidate the green ecological barrier.

(With inputs from Xinhua)