BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- Senior Chinese government officials say China is strengthening their agricultural resource and environment protection capabilities aiming to promote sustainable agricultural development, China Radio International reported Friday.

They made the announcement at the annual conference of China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development, or CCICED.

Minister of the State Environmental Protection Administration, Xie Zhenhua, says China has taken effective measures on rural environmental protection such as developing ecological agriculture.

Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Zhang Baowen, says China will adopt rigorous policies to protect plantations and prevent pollution.

Established in 1992, CCICED is a high level international advisory board to the Chinese government.