President Xi Jinping (second right), also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the huge changes brought about by advancing green development, in Yucun village of Tianhuangping township in Anji county, east China's Zhejiang province, March 30, 2020. (SHEN HONG / XINHUA)

HANGZHOU - President Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stressed protecting ecological environment, saying all the ecological protection efforts will be rewarded.

Ecological environment itself is the economy. All the ecological protection efforts will be rewarded.

Xi Jinping, Chinese president

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He made the remarks while visiting Yucun village in the county of Anji of east China's Zhejiang province Monday.

Xi talked with villagers at a courtyard during the visit.

Protecting mountains and waters here well will provide people a unique advantage for further economic development, Xi said.

"Ecological environment itself is the economy. All the ecological protection efforts will be rewarded," he said.

Fully building a modern socialist country includes both urban modernization and agricultural and rural modernization, Xi said, adding that China will make all-round efforts for rural vitalization after building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

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"I am convinced that Yucun village will embrace a better future," Xi said, wishing villagers a better life.

Xi also said that the path of green development was correct and should be followed.