国内英语新闻:Top Chinese legislator urges improving people's income levels in poor NW region

In recent years, the NPC members in Xingxia raised many proposals to tackle the water issue, including developing high efficient irrigation systems for drought areas, setting up potato plantation bases and organizing ecological migration.

While visiting an energy and chemical plant base, Wu stressed that coal electricity and coal-powered chemical industry were "essential" for Ningxia's future economic development.

With an annual output surpassing 55 million tonnes, Ningxia's coal output per capita ranks third in the country.

He urged the region to convert "resource advantages to economic advantages" with scientific planning, advanced technology and better use of resources.

In addition, Wu stressed coordinated urban and rural development and education for the autonomous region.