HANGZHOU, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, stressed protecting ecological environment, saying all the ecological protection efforts will be rewarded.

Photo: Xinhua

He made the remarks while visiting Yucun Village in the county of Anji of east China's Zhejiang Province Monday.

Xi talked with villagers at a courtyard during the visit.

Protecting mountains and waters here well will provide people a unique advantage for further economic development, Xi said.

"Ecological environment itself is the economy. All the ecological protection efforts will be rewarded," he said.

Fully building a modern socialist country includes both urban modernization and agricultural and rural modernization, Xi said, adding that China will make all-round efforts for rural vitalization after building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

"I am convinced that Yucun Village will embrace a better future," Xi said, wishing villagers a better life.