A team led by He Wei, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), visited Sichuan, Qinghai and Gansu provinces from July 14 to 22 to survey the environmental protection challenges along the western route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project.

The team from the Committee on Population, Resources and Environment of the CPPCC National Committee went to over 20 county-level regions in the three provinces, making field studies at dams, hydrologic stations and nature reserves, and convening meetings with local authorities to learn about eco-conservation endeavors.

He said the mega project, which transfers water from the Yangtze River to dry areas in North China through eastern, middle and western routes, is critically important for ecological conservation and high-quality development in the Yellow River basin.

As the western route passes through areas with a fragile ecosystem, it's paramount to take a closer look at the environmental problems that may arise in the project, give more weight to minimize ecological impacts in the decision-making, and never flinch from safeguarding ecological safety and sustainable development.