Chinese President Xi Jinping called for green development and urged efforts to respect and protect nature when the situation of epidemic control in China is continuously turning for the better.

President Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks while attending a voluntary tree-planting activity in the Chinese capital's southern district of Daxing on Friday.

"We plant trees together as a concrete action to boost the economic and social progress and the expedited return to normal work and life," Xi said.

Noting that the situation of epidemic control in China is continuously turning for the better, Xi said the activity also accelerates the resumption of production and people's living in action as the epidemic containment has improved in China.

While planting different species of trees, Xi said that afforestation has been a fine tradition of the Chinese nation since ancient times, calling for respect for nature, harmony between man and nature, and efforts to build a beautiful China.

Ecological advancement has been brought into the country's five-sphere integrated plan since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012.

Xi highlighted the importance of green development, saying the country has made great contribution to the global ecological governance by realizing a consistent growth in forest resources and a steady decrease in desertification area.

Underscoring the need to adhere to the principle of people-centered development, Xi called for planting trees for the people, thus bringing benefits to the people.

Citizens bear legal obligations to support afforestation and forest protection, Xi noted, viewing it as an effective way to advance national greening rate.

Speaking of the virus containment, Xi praised community workers for their contribution in the battle while hoping them not to drop their guard as work resumption picked up pace.

The activity was also attended by other senior officials including Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Wang Huning, Zhao Leji, Han Zheng and Wang Qishan.

(With input from Xinhua)