Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, plants a tree during a tree-planting activity in Daxing district of Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2022. (PHOTO/XINHUA)
President Xi Jinping called on Wednesday for comprehensive efforts to promote environmental conservation to make greater contributions to advancing global environmental and climate governance and enhancing harmony between man and nature.
Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while joining Beijing residents in a voluntary tree-planting activity in the Chinese capital's Daxing district. This year marks the 41st anniversary of the country's voluntary tree-planting activity.
President Xi Jinping said that he participated in the tree-planting activity every year to make his contribution to building a beautiful China and encourage the whole of society, especially young people, to promote ecological advancement so that China's environment will be even better
Xi has participated in the tree-planting activity in Beijing every year since he became general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in November 2012. While planting saplings of different types of trees, Xi talked with officials and people on-site also taking part.
Xi said that he participated in the tree-planting activity every year to make his contribution to building a beautiful China and encourage the whole of society, especially young people, to promote ecological advancement so that China's environment will be even better.
He commended the nation's efforts in afforestation since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, saying that the Party has led the Chinese people in making historic progress and achieving eye-catching miracles in environmental conservation.
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Xi stressed the importance of upholding the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, highlighting the nation's efforts to promote ecological advancement, increase afforestation and improve people's living environment. The vision of building a beautiful China is turning into a reality, he said.
However, Xi noted, conservation and rehabilitation to achieve the fundamental improvement of the environment is a long-term task and still requires arduous efforts.
Noting that forests and grasslands are of fundamental and strategic significance to the country's ecological security, Xi said China has entered a key period in improving its environment.
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He reaffirmed the need to unswervingly implement the new development philosophy, put the environment first while firmly sticking to the green development path, and make greater efforts in the integrated protection and management of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, holds a shovel as he attends a tree-planting activity in Daxing district of Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2022. (PHOTO/XINHUA)
He called for scientifically promoting afforestation nationwide and raising the quantity and quality of forest and grassland resources in order to increase carbon sinks.
Saying that planting trees and protecting nature are traditional virtues of the Chinese nation, Xi urged efforts to further advance voluntary afforestation activities nationwide.
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He urged Party and government officials at various levels to assume their responsibilities in work in tree-planting and ecological advancement to enable the people to enjoy a better living environment.
Other leaders, including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan, also took part in the activity.