Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang has called for the protection of biodiversity and more efficient use of resources to accelerate the transformation of the economic growth pattern and promote sustainable development.

Li, also head of the China Committee of the International Year of Biodiversity, told a plenary meeting of the committee Tuesday "biodiversity is the basis for the existence and development of human beings."

"China boasts biodiversity riches, and biological resources are one of the nation's strategic resources," said Li, also a Standing Committee member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity.

As one of the 12 nations in the world with biodiversity riches, China boasts various types of terrestrial ecosystems. The number of species in China ranks the first among countries of the Northern Hemisphere, statistics show.

Li said biodiversity is very important for improving farming, technological innovation, and promoting development.

Li said the system of ecological protection and the management of natural reserves should be improved so the country's unique and endangered species are better protected.

"Efforts should be made to prevent blind- and over- exploitation, and the impact of exploitation on biodiversity should be reduced to a minimum," Li said.

He said most Chinese regions rich in biodiversity are located in the west and are underdeveloped. Li called for both ecological protection and improvement in livelihoods in these regions.

"The protection of biodiversity is a common environmental problem faced by the international community and a development issue concerning human progress," Li said.

Biological-technology research and development should be strengthened and international cooperation should be deepened, Li added.

Tuesday's meeting also deliberated documents concerning China's protection of biodiversity.