Why does Xi care about two rare cat species?

"This shows that ecological protection efforts have worked," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, during his discussion with lawmakers from Qinghai. "The people's awareness of ecological protection has also been strengthened, and they have seen the economic value of ecology itself."

He stressed concrete efforts to give priority to ecology, promote high-quality development and create a high-quality life.

The Qilian Mountains is a major vast mountain range standing across the border of Gansu and Qinghai provinces, with an average altitude of over 4,000 meters. The range is an important water source of the Yellow River, China's second-longest, and a key ecological shield in western China.