Chinese President Hu Jintao has urged the country's energy industry to increase efficiency and reduce emissions to support sustainable development.

Hu, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the comments during a visit to north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Hu called for implementation of the "conservation culture" that the CPC advocated during the 17th National Congress. He said this effort should include an awareness of energy-saving measures.

At the 17th CPC National Congress, Hu explained that a "conservation culture" means "forming an energy- and resource-efficient and environment-friendly structure of industries, pattern of growth and mode of consumption."

During his visit to Inner Mongolia, Hu also emphasized environmental protection in the region.

"Planting more trees and grass greatly helps improve the ecology and the public welfare," Hu said.

(Xinhua News Agency November 20, 2007)