Xi: Green development key to building a beautiful China

President Xi Jinping called for continuing efforts in afforestation to build a more beautiful China and reiterated that upholding green development is a major strategy for the nation's growth.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Tuesday while joining Beijing residents in a voluntary tree-planting activity in the capital's Chaoyang district.

This year marks the 42nd anniversary of the tree-planting. Xi has participated in the activity in Beijing every year since he became general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in November 2012.

By taking part in such activities, he encourages the whole society, especially young people, to promote ecological advancement so that China's environment improves further.

While planting saplings of different types of trees, Xi spoke with students taking part in the event and inquired about their families, school curriculums and homework.

He told them that educating children is like planting trees. Saplings should be held upright when they are planted, otherwise they will grow up crooked, he said.

While speaking to officials and other people present, Xi said that promoting the voluntary tree-planting activity is a solid step toward expanding afforestation across the country and building a beautiful China.

The president recommended taking innovative measures to encourage people to plant more trees. "Let's take proactive steps — from planting trees to ensuring our homeland has lucid waters and lush mountains, which are our invaluable assets — and draw a new picture of our beautiful China," he said.

China has topped the global ranking in terms of the size of artificial forests, Xi said, adding that the nation's tree-planting efforts will continue.

Emphasizing that afforestation is both very meaningful and beneficial for the future generations, Xi said that China and the Chinese people should be given credit for their contributions to improving the global forest coverage rate and coping with climate change.

Xi recollected his memories of the Chinese capital when he was young. "I grew up in Beijing, and I often think about trees when it comes to nostalgia," he said.

He called for planting a wider variety of trees while enhancing the nation's afforestation efforts and striving to build Beijing into a beautiful, verdant city.

Other leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng, also participated in the tree-planting activity in Beijing.