General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the Zhonghuan industrial park in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, June 7, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

On the ecology front, Inner Mongolia must consolidate its role as a vital ecological barrier in northern China, with efforts to facilitate major ecological projects, including the Beijing-Tianjin sandstorm source control project and the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, and ensure tougher management of ecological red lines, according to Xi.

More efforts should go into the conservation of natural forests as well as soil and water, the fight against desertification, and the conservation of wetlands, Xi said, also calling on the autonomous region to sustain the positive trend of expanding afforestation and curbing desertification.

Xi stressed that the most arduous task in bringing prosperity to all the people nationwide remains in some border areas with mainly ethnic minority populations. These areas must not be left behind on the way to common prosperity, he said.

He emphasized the significance of a people-centered approach, urging efforts to ensure and improve the people's well-being in the course of pursuing development.

Xi stressed the full implementation of the employment-first policy, urging targeted and effective implementation of measures and policies to ease corporate burdens and stabilize and expand employment. He also called for efforts to expand employment channels and provide more assistance for those experiencing difficulties.

It is important to improve the multi-tiered social security system, ramp up social and medical assistance, increase support for households receiving subsistence allowances or in difficulties, and develop elderly care programs and services, said Xi.