国内英语新闻:President Hu calls for greater development in China's west

When visiting Ningxia Forestry Institute (LTD.CO), Hu was briefed by researchers on growing salt-proof and drought-resistant plants with bio-technology, plants that suited the local environment. Hu called on the scientific institute to make contributions to local ecological and environmental protection.

He praised a diary farm for setting up corporatives and pooling funds for local diary farmers to expand production and earn more.

In his visit to a dam on the Yellow River, Hu stressed infrastructure construction so as to protect local people from floods.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (front L) visits Yuanlin Village of Yongning County in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Hu Jintao called for more efforts to promote social, economic development in the underdeveloped western areas of the country during his three-day visit to northwestern Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from March 21 to 23

The Xinghai Lake wetland reserve in Shizuishan city used to be severely polluted. After years of ecological protection, the wetland reverted to be a paradise of birds.

When visiting the wet land reserve, Hu said, ecological and environmental protection must be the priority. He called on efforts of Ningxia to improve its own environment and to help build an ecological safety-net for the entire western region.