Fujian officials took part in an interview on the construction of an environmental protection pilot zone on Mar 22, in which Su Shulin, governor of Fujian province, said that Fujian should draw on others' experience in ecological development, especially those from Taiwan.

He went on to say that China's Taiwan region has taken the lead in environmental protection, "Taiwan has been developing rapidly because of its advanced technology; and we can learn from this."

"Fujian province will strike a balance between economic development and environmental protection and should not repeat the vicious cycle of pollution and treatment which occurred in the history of developed countries," Su said.

He added that in the future, Fujian would eliminate outdated and high energy consumption industrial production modes and give priority to environmentally friendly industries.

"We should resist the lure of profit in the process of development and innovate our development mode," said Su.

He also suggested that the media should give more coverage of environmental protection.

By Lu Ting from China Daily Fujian Bureau

Edited by Wang Yifei and Brian Anthony Salter