Full coverage: China’s Leaders

China’s President Xi Jinping has announced that protecting the ecosystem is “the most important foundation” of sustainable development.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R, front) visits the provincial ecological environmental monitoring center in northwest China's Qinghai Province, Aug. 23, 2016. Xi made an inspection tour in Qinghai from Aug. 22 to 24. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

He made the remarks during a tour of northwestern province Qinghai. He said supply-side structural reform is the main thread of economic development and promoted raising the overall quality and efficiency of the supply chain. Qinghai province is responsible for the protection of the Sanjiangyuan region, the source of China’s three major rivers.

Xi said measures must be taken to ensure that economic, social and environmental development proceed hand-in-hand. He also encouraged local ethnic minorities to join the environmental protection team.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visits a salt lake dock of Qinghai Salt Lake Industry Group Co., Ltd. in northwest China's Qinghai Province, Aug. 22, 2016. Xi made an inspection tour in Qinghai from Aug. 22 to 24. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

President Xi said measures must be taken to ensure that economic, social and environmental development proceed hand-in-hand. He also encouraged local ethnic minorities to join the environmental protection team.