Nation to redouble protection efforts

China will redouble its efforts to build a beautiful country by further promoting the environmental development plan, which aims to achieve a forest coverage rate of 26 percent by 2035, according to Zhang Jianlong, head of the State Forestry and Grassland Administration.

Zhang said the administration will strengthen the massive nationwide greening program, and aims to grow at least 6.7 million hectares of forest annually in the next 15 years.

"The program echoes people's emerging needs in the new era - a good environment and eco-friendly living conditions," Zhang said. "The forests will serve as buffer zones (by preventing sand from reaching residential areas, thus improving the environment) and help to build China into a beautiful country."