Xi Jinping says revival of Chinese economy must not be bought at expense of the environment
- President joins delegates from Inner Mongolia at National People’s Congress, telling them not to ‘attempt to breach the red line of ecological protection’
While a slowing economy and pressure on jobs dominated the “two sessions” this year, President Xi Jinping refocused his attention to the environment at China’s key annual political gathering.
Speaking to fellow deputies from Inner Mongolia at the National People’s Congress on Tuesday, soon after Premier Li Keqiang presented the government’s work report, Xi said boosting the economy must not come at the price of a degraded environment.
“Do not ever think about launching environmentally damaging projects for growth, or any attempt to breach the red line of ecological protection, even when we meet some difficulties in economic development,” state news agency Xinhua quoted Xi as saying.
“As the Chinese economy goes from high-speed growth to high-quality development, pollution prevention and environmental governance are important barriers to cross … We must grit our teeth, climb over this slope and pass this ridge,” the president said.
The joint sessions of China’s top legislature and its political advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, begin with annual work reports delivered by the premier and the CPPCC head. More detailed – and revealing – messages from Xi are usually released during his meetings with panels of lawmakers and advisers.