The water ecology of the Yangtze River basin should be protected and restored holistically and systemically, according to Li Bin, vice-chairwoman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee.

Li made the remarks when she addressed a symposium on the Yangtze River ecological environment held in Wuhan, capital of Central China's Hubei province, from Oct 19 to 20.

Li said developing the Yangtze River Economic Belt is a strategic decision made by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and spoke highly of the transformative changes and historical achievements in protecting the ecological environment and promote economic and social development made by the provinces and municipalities in the region.

Li urged greater efforts to control water pollution and strictly implement the 10-year fishing ban in order to gradually restore the river's aquatic ecosystem. She also called for continuous improvement of policies and mechanisms, as well as legal protection, especially the effective implementation of the Yangtze River Protection Law.

She noted that the political consultation mechanism of the CPPCC at the provincial levels along the Yangtze River Economic Belt should be further improved, adding that it's necessary to conduct in-depth surveys and studies, offer suggestions and build consensus, so as to pool wisdom for the ecological and environmental protection of the Yangtze River and the green development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Held by the Committee on Population, Resources and Environment of the CPPCC National Committee and the CPPCC Hubei Provincial Committee, the meeting was attended by CPPCC members from 11 provincial-level regions along the Yangtze River as well as those from the CPPCC Qinghai Provincial Committee.