China has been mulling over a national development plan for the country's Yangtze River economic belt. During a discussion on Sunday, a senior official said the country has made environmental protection and restoration a top priority in the plan.

According to authorities, the development of the economic belt will follow a green path, with the strictest environmental protection and water resources management measures. The senior official also added that by 2030 the region's environment will have steadily improved.

Authorities also said the plan aims to improve the river's traffic capacity, promote innovation and industrial upgrading and boost urbanization, among others.