China has begun the construction of a hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, with a groundbreaking ceremony held on Saturday in Nyingchi, a city in the Xizang autonomous region.

While attending the ceremony, Premier Li Qiang announced the start of the project, which will consist of five cascade hydropower stations with a total investment estimated at around 1.2 trillion yuan ($167.8 billion).

China Yajiang Group Co was inaugurated recently for the smooth construction and operation of the hydropower project, which will primarily deliver electricity for external consumption while also addressing local demand in Xizang.

The central government approved the construction of the project in December last year. A statement issued following the approval said that the project is of great importance in advancing the country's strategy for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality and coping with global climate change.

By harnessing the abundant hydropower resources of the Yarlung Zangbo River, the project will also spur the development of solar and wind energy resources in surrounding areas, creating a clean energy base featuring a complementary mix of hydro, wind and solar power, the statement said, adding that this represents a major move in China's green and low-carbon energy transition.

During an inspection tour in Xizang from Friday to Saturday, Li called for efforts to develop major national projects with high quality, promote economic and social development, and enhance the well-being of the people of different ethnic groups.

Describing the Yarlung Zangbo hydropower project as a project of the century, the premier called for the adoption of advanced technologies, equipment, techniques and materials to provide robust support for high-quality construction of the project. He noted that the hydropower project is monumental in scale, long-term in duration and far-reaching in impact.

Special attention must be paid to ecological conservation to prevent environmental damage, he said.

Li called for meticulous efforts in the relocation and resettlement of local communities involved in the project, as well as for integrating infrastructure advancement with job creation and increasing the income of local people.

He underlined the need to build the project into a major signature project of the new era by upholding a strong sense of mission and a firm commitment to history and the people.

During his stay in Xizang, Li also visited a construction site of the Sichuan-Xizang Railway project in Nyingchi. Noting that the railway is of great significance in promoting Xizang's development and improving people's livelihoods, he highlighted that quality and safety must always be the top priority.

At a modern agriculture demonstration zone in Lhasa, the capital of Xizang, Li learned about the development of Xizang's agriculture and animal husbandry industries as well as the plateau biology institute.

He said that leveraging unique local resources to develop plateau agriculture and animal husbandry serves as a key driver for boosting people's income and promoting economic growth in Xizang.

Li also called for efforts to enhance the demonstration and promotion of new technologies in the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors, and strive for breakthroughs in high-altitude breeding.

Fully affirming Xizang's achievements in economic and social development, Li also urged officials and the public in Xizang to step up efforts to maintain stability, promote development, protect the ecology and boost development in border areas.