Gu Shengzu, vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, called for strong efforts to promote the integrated development of areas around Dongting Lake, and to actively align with the national strategy of developing urban clusters in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River.

Gu, also executive vice-chairman of the Central Committee of the China National Democratic Construction Association, made the statement while attending a meeting in Yiyang, Central China's Hunan province, on Aug 14.

The meeting focused on coordinated environmental protection of the country's second-largest freshwater lake and integrated development among cities around the lake.

Gu stressed the importance of protecting the water quality and ecosystem of the lake, an important retention reservoir for the Yangtze River, a key wetland of international significance, and a vital ecological security barrier for the urban cluster strategy.

Efforts are needed to develop the green economy, integrate the development of agriculture, culture and tourism, make full use of opportunities of the digital economy, and promote rural development through technology application, according to Gu.

He also said it's important to advance the rural vitalization in all respects, ensure food security, and build a modern, beautiful and livable countryside. Meanwhile, Gu added that the State should use the ecological compensation mechanism to enhance investment in the lake area.