HOHHOT -- Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng has called for joint efforts on desertification control and prevention.

Efforts should be made to strengthen desertification prevention work and preserve the ecological environment to ensure the security of North China's ecological shelter, according to Han.

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a two-day inspection tour to Ordos, a city in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

He inspected the desertification control, prevention and the ecological construction of the Kubuqi desert on Monday and Tuesday.

Han pointed out that the successful experience of Kubuqi's desertification control over the past 30 years should be promoted and adapted based on local conditions to guarantee that ecological management efforts produce concrete results.

"Investment in research and development and international cooperation should also be enhanced to increase the technological support for ecological management," Han added.

Stressing the importance of concerted efforts, Han said governments at all levels should improve financial and fiscal policies to solve the difficulties faced by enterprises and encourage various market entities as well as the general public to participate in the ecological construction.