Yang Zhen, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended the 27th China Qinghai Green Development Investment and Trade Fair, themed "Open Cooperation, Green Development", in Xining on July 15.

Yang noted that Qinghai's greatest value, responsibility and potential all lie in its ecology, and that protecting the province's ecological environment is a matter of paramount national significance. He called for sustained efforts to advance ecological conservation and high-quality development on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, and to promote Chinese modernization in Qinghai.

Yang stressed that Qinghai must unswervingly safeguard the "Water Tower of China", a reference to the Sanjiangyuan region in the province where three major rivers originate. He urged the province to make the most of the fair as a platform, turn its ecological strengths into development advantages, and shoulder its mission and forge ahead in advancing ecological protection and high-quality development on the plateau.

Qinghai should also explore new pathways and accumulate fresh experience for the country's broader ecological civilization efforts, he added.

After the opening ceremony, Yang toured the exhibition area of the fair.