Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for mobilizing the entire society to actively participate in reforestation, stressing that a healthy ecological environment is shared by all and requires joint efforts from everyone.
Xi, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, made these remarks while taking part in a voluntary 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 tree‑planting site in Changping District, Beijing. Xi greeted the crowd with a wave before picking up a shovel to join the activity. He planted young trees of several different species.
While planting, he spoke with children present about their studies, daily life, participation in manual and sports activities, and their involvement in tree‑planting. He emphasized the importance of setting lofty goals from a young age, cultivating a love for learning, work, and nature, and striving to become pillars of society.
Xi also talked with officials and members of the public on site. He noted that China has seen a sustained increase in forested areas and timber volume, along with a continuous reduction in desertified and sandy regions. This has made China the country with the fastest and largest greening progress in the world.
Xi praised the Ecological and Environmental Code adopted in March, highlighting that it further strengthens the legal foundation needed to build a “Beautiful China.”
Reforestation is an important task in building a Beautiful China, Xi said, calling for sustained and concrete efforts to advance this initiative.
This year marks the first year of implementing the 15th Five‑Year Plan (2026–2030) and the 45th anniversary of the national voluntary tree‑planting campaign, Xi noted.
In this new context, efforts to advance greening programs should place greater emphasis on improving quality, developing related industries, and delivering positive benefits to the people, he stated.
Xi stressed the importance of facilitating channels to add value to ecological products and promoting coordinated greening of both urban and rural areas.