LANZHOU, Aug. 22 -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has called for a spirit of perseverance and sustained efforts in building a beautiful China.

Xi made the remarks Wednesday while visiting an afforestation area during his inspection tour to the northwestern province of Gansu.

Xi inspected the site in Gulang County where he learned about efforts and progress made by the local government and people in desertification control through hard and relentless afforestation work.

He also took a hoe and participated in local people's sand control work.

Building an ecological civilization must be a major task for China as it has grown rich and is becoming strong, Xi said, calling for a solid "Green Great Wall" to protect the ecological environment.