Li Zhaozhuo, vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), urged authorities of northwestern China's Qinghai province to further improve ecology in the Qinghai Lake area.

Li, heading a CPPCC inspection delegation from August 20 - 27, said that the province should make use of opportunities to develop West China to enhance protection and pollution treatment.

The inland Qinghai Lake is the largest saltwater lake in China. Local natural environmental changes and human activities in recent years have contributed to ecological deterioration in and around the lake, resulting in declining water level, desertification around the lake, damaged pastures and bird habitats.

The CPPCC vice-chairman and other members of the delegation conducted field surveys and held talks with local people and officials, and offer suggestions for solutions to the problems.

(People’s Daily August 28, 2003)