The 2018 National People's Congress (NPC) and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Annual Legislative and Political Advisory Sessions will be in session in Beijing from Mar 3 to 20. An open press conference with Southwest China's Guizhou NPC deputies was held on March 8.

Guizhou NPC deputies hold an open press conference on March 8, as the 2018 NPC and CPPCC Annual Legislative and Political Advisory Sessions get underway in Beijing. [Photo/todayguizhou.com]

Shen Yiqin, NPC deputy and governor of Guizhou, stated that the province has consistently prioritized improvement of the ecological environment in recent years and is devising plans to bring more benefits to its people.

The transformation of Guizhou's ecological environment has been visible in recent years, Shen pointed out, as is evidenced through the development of big data, high passenger traffic in the province, and high levels of public satisfaction.

In fact, Guizhou's development has skyrocketed, with its growth rate ranking in the top two for the past five years. Forest coverage rate has risen to 55.3 percent and the quality of drinking water for residents has been raised significantly.

Thanks to its natural resources, mild climate and fresh mountain air, Guizhou has managed to promote tourism through the development of health industries, summer resorts, and hot springs. Water quality in the Wujiang River has also been effectively improved.

Shen Yiqin, governor of Guizhou province, gave a speech at the open press conference on March 8. [Photo/todayguizhou.com]

Shen said that Guizhou is now promoting the construction of a national ecological trial base and a green financial reform and innovation trial zone and is strengthening the legal procedure for ecological environment protection.

With the improvement of its ecological environment, the province aims to develop itself into a hot spot for investors and visitors as well as a comfortable living area for locals, she added.