China's top political advisor, Jia Qinglin, on Wednesday called for efforts to construct a better ecological and healthy living environment while pushing for rapid development in the country's western regions.

Jia Qinglin (C, front), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, visits the exhibition of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region during the "West Development" campaign, in Beijing, capital of China, July 14, 2010. [Xinhua]

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks when he visited an exhibition of the western region's environmental protection marking the 10th anniversary of China's strategy to develop its western regions.

While accelerating development in the western regions, Jia said, it was crucial to pay special attention to the construction of the ecological and living environment.

"A new western region with green mountains and clean rivers will make a greater contribution to the nation's ecological security," Jia said.

Jia noted the country's strategy to develop the western regions not only rejuvenated the regions, but opened greater opportunities for the nation's development, as well.