The provincial-level committees of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Northwest China's five provinces and autonomous regions held their fifth joint meeting in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region, from Aug 27 to 28. 

The meeting focused on efforts to build an ecological barrier in Northwest China and promoting the green development of the Silk Road Economic Belt. Wang Yong, vice-chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, addressed the meeting. 

Wang noted that Northwest China, which is composed of Gansu,  Qinghai and Shaanxi provinces as well as Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and Ningxia, is a critical ecological barrier for China and a frontier for the country's westward opening-up, carrying a significant responsibility in advancing the green development of the Belt and Road. 

Wang called for the region to focus on its unique circumstances and remain committed to a path of green and low-carbon development that prioritizes ecological conservation and resource efficiency. High-level environmental protection must be emphasized to inject a strong impetus into the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development and green development of the Silk Road Economic Belt, he noted. 

Efforts are needed to propel an industrial development that is deeply integrated in digital, intelligent and green development, continuously enhancing green productivity and seeking the most-optimized solutions that balance environmental, economic and social benefits, he said. 

Wang urged a more conscious effort to limit economic activities within the capacity of natural resources and ecosystems, recommending green and low-carbon lifestyles and consumption patterns to foster a societal shift towards valuing ecological progress. 

More efforts should be made to strengthen international cooperation in green transformation, particularly in sharing green and low-carbon products, technologies, and experiences with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, according to Wang. This includes enhanced collaboration in areas such as energy, climate, the environment, and biodiversity to boost the green development of the Silk Road Economic Belt, he added. 

The CPPCC committees of the five provincial-level regions were encouraged to make full use of the joint meeting platform to enhance collaborative efforts, consultations and exchanges, pooling wisdom for and contributing strengths to the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.