Xi: Make homeland green

As he shoveled soil alongside residents of Beijing's Tongzhou district, Xi said planting trees is one of the nation's great traditions.

The event on Monday helps fulfill a duty and is also a tangible move that helps shape a beautiful China, boosts ecological civilization and improves public well-being, Xi said.

The country's homeland greening effort should be based on a scientific approach and led by organized plantings and should be in accord with local conditions, Xi said.