Protection of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau urged

Chinese lawmakers have started deliberating a draft law dedicated to conserving the ecosystem of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, considering the "unique" and "irreplaceable "role of the region for ecological security for both China and the rest of the world.

In addition to measures on ecological conservation and remediation, efforts to cope with hazards triggered by climate change are among the key concerns of the draft law, which was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for the first reading on Tuesday.

The conditions of the plateau's ecosystem exert direct impacts on biodiversity, water supply, the stability of the climate system and the balance between carbon emissions and absorption in the country, said an explanatory document on the draft law released by the committee. The full text of the draft law has not yet been made public.