BEIJING, September 14 -- Liu Yunshan, senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), called for efforts to promoting ecological progress to build a beautiful country.

Liu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks Saturday in a tour to the International Garden Expo Park in Beijing.

The spread of knowledge on science and technology should be intensified among the public to raise the ecological awareness of respecting, protecting and conforming to nature, Liu said.

Visiting the south-to-north water diversion project exhibition area in the park, Liu spoke highly of the project, saying the major scheme to divert water from the water-abundant south has contributed to development of the usually arid north.

Vice Premier Liu Yandong, head of the CPC Central Committee's Publicity Department Liu Qibao and Vice President Li Yuanchao also visited the park.