Senior Official Stresses Environmental Protection

Senior CPC Official Meets Brazilian Guests

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Li Ruihuan, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said Thursday that China must make more efforts to improve its deteriorating environment.

Li made the remark when he met with winners of an environmental protection award, the Mother River Award, at the Great Hall of the People. He praised the winners' contributions to bringing about a better environment.

Li said the declining environment has restricted the country's social and economic development, and the government and people nationwide should intensify their efforts to improve the situation.

Li noted that China's large population is an advantage enabling the country to do a better job of environmental protection though the people's activities are a major cause of the worsening environment.