Chinese Vice-Premier Wu Yi said if China's tourism industry to practice sustainable development it will have to protect its natural resources as it develops.

Wu made the remark during her inspection tour in east China's Zhejiang province. She stressed that building an environmentally friendly and harmonious society requires a rational combination of resource exploitation and protection.

She said harmony is the key in developing tourist destinations that involve nature, culture heritage and the environment.

Wu has visited Hangzhou, Zhoushan and Ningbo beginning last Friday to check the work of tourism and foreign trade in the province. She praised the innovative work of local companies and the development and protection of local tourism resources.

Wu took a boat trip to the Xixi national wetland park in the capital of Hangzhou. She approved the scientific restoration and protection of the wetland, which she thinks will promote both the quality of the city's eco-environment and reputation.

At Putuoshan, a famous site for Buddhist attraction, Wu asked about the living conditions of monks in Pujichan Temple and Luojia Mountain. She called for coordinated work between local governments, companies, non-governmental organizations and Buddhists to help the temples to attract more visitors from home and abroad.

(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2006)