Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday urged the public to learn from Meng Xiangmin, an official in eastern Shandong Province commended for his selfless contributions to local environmental protection efforts.

Li spoke highly of the achievements of Meng, an army officer-turned official who died of intestinal cancer in 2011 at the age of 47. Meng made extraordinary achievements while serving in a common post, Li said.

Born in 1963, Meng joined the army in 1981 and was transferred to a civilian post at the Zichuan branch of the Environmental Protection Bureau of Zibo in 1996.

He was known for his integrity and strictness in enforcing environmental laws as well as his warm-hearted service in helping enterprises control pollution.