Xi Jinping, who is also General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, made these remarks while participating in a volunteer tree-planting activity in Beijing.
Xi and other Party and state leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, arrived in the morning at the planting site in Beijing’s Changping District. Before picking up a shovel and joining the activity, Xi waved to the crowd in greeting. The President planted saplings—young plants—of various tree species.
While participating in the planting, he asked the children present about their studies and daily lives, as well as their participation in work, sports, and tree-planting activities. Xi emphasized the importance of setting lofty goals early on, cultivating a love for learning, work, and nature, and striving to become a pillar of society.
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Xi also spoke with officials and members of the public present at the site. He noted that China has seen sustained increases in both forest area and timber reserves, as well as a continuous reduction in desertified and sandy areas. He said this has made China the country with the largest and fastest-growing green area in the world.
Xi also praised the Ecological and Environmental Law passed in March, noting that it strengthens the legal foundation for building a “Beautiful China.”
Afforestation is an important task in building a “Beautiful China,” Xi said, calling for continuous and consistent efforts to advance this initiative.
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Xi noted that this year marks the first year of implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–2030), as well as the 45th anniversary of the national voluntary tree-planting campaign.
Under the new circumstances, efforts to promote afforestation programs should place greater emphasis on improving quality, developing related industries, and creating benefits for the population, he said.
Xi also highlighted the importance of facilitating mechanisms to realize the value of eco-friendly products and of promoting, in a coordinated manner, the greening of urban and rural areas.
