BEIJING -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has called for more efforts to push green development and green lifestyles as the country seeks to better balance economic growth and environmental protection.

At a study session attended by members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Friday, Xi listed six key tasks, including speeding up the transformation of growth models and intensifying anti-pollution measures.

Xi said that China has made historic social and economic achievements since the reform and opening up, which the country should be proud of. Meanwhile, rapid development has also left the country with environmental issues that need to be remedied with great efforts.

He said that to push green development and green lifestyles, the country should use a new development philosophy, and correctly handle the relationship between economic development and environmental protection.

The country, he said, should protect the environment "like one protects his eyes" and treat the environment "like one treats his life."

China should firmly reject the development model that damages or even destroys the environment and bid farewell to practices that boost short-term economic growth at the cost of the environment, he said.