Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that increased environment protection efforts would help significantly to boost domestic demand and open new economic growth points.

China would continue to make environmental protection a priority to benefit the people and ensure a stable economy, he told the annual meeting of the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED).

China faced difficult tasks in protecting its environment as it was the world's biggest developing country with huge economic growth potential.

He also pledged the country would coordinate economic, social resources and environmental development.

China would actively cooperate with other countries in environment protection technology, management and human resources, he said.

He said the country had decided to adopt active fiscal policies and moderately easy monetary policies in response to the global financial crisis and make other important adjustments to maintain economic growth.

Established in 1992, the CCICED is composed of leading experts and public figures from China and abroad, and is responsible for submitting proposals and advisory opinions to the Chinese government.

(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2008)