Vice-Premier Wang Yang called for the protection and sustainable growth of forest resources during a tour of the state owned forest regions in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Feb 6.

The vice-premier inspected the Greater Khingan Mountains forest region and was updated about the lives of the forest working staff and the ecological immigration.

He also held a symposium to solicit opinions on the reform and development of forest regions.

He said that state owned forest regions play an irreplaceable role in safeguarding the country’s ecological security and economic and social development.

The forest workers have made great contributions to the county’s need for wood, protection and cultivation of forest resources, as well as ecological security, Wang said.

Currently, forest regions have entered a transitional stage, said the vice-premier, adding that reform of the regions should be based on providing ecological services and safeguarding ecological security.

He called for the forest regions to use their rich green resources to develop forest tourism and special breeding and planting which will help local people increase their incomes.

The vice-premier also urged the improvement of infrastructure and public services in the forest regions so as to properly address the basic livelihood problems of the local people.