BEIJING -- The first phase of China's large wind power and photovoltaic projects in desert areas with an installed capacity of approximately 100 million kilowatts have recently started construction, President Xi Jinping said Tuesday.

Xi made the remarks while addressing the leaders' summit of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity via video link in Beijing.

This is part of China's efforts to make faster progress in planning and developing large wind power and photovoltaic bases in sandy areas, rocky areas and deserts, according to Xi.