The Chinese people take tree planting (serious). President Xi Jinping (join) local (present) residents for tree planting in the capital's suburbs in March this year — his 10th successive at the annual activity since he became China's top leader. Xi said that by joining other volunteers to plant trees, he wants to make his contribution to building green and beautiful China, and encourage society, especially the youth, (promote) ecological advancement.
When the People's Republic of China (found) in 1949, forests covered only 8.6 percent of the country's land area. The constant use of wood for cooking and heating had denuded (使变光秃) forests and reduced the green cover, (result) in environmental deterioration and desertification. It was under such circumstances that China launched national tree-planting campaign to build forest belts. Thanks to nationwide efforts, last year, it was reported that forest cover has increased to 23 percent of the country's land territory spread over 220 million hectares.
As a leader who in his youth toiled (辛苦工作) a farmer on the almost barren Loess Plateau for seven years, Xi knows better than many forests mean to a nation. The concept of "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." has become a motto for China's future development.
