China's forest coverage surpasses 25%, leading global green expansion

Since its first launch of National Tree Planting Day on March 12, 1979, China has made remarkable strides in afforestation and ecological restoration, especially in recent years, reinforcing its commitment to green development and environmental sustainability.

From the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" to setting "dual carbon" goals, these efforts have increased China's forest coverage and improved ecological resilience, demonstrating the country's leadership in global environmental protection.

In 2024, China planted 4.45 million hectares of trees, raising the country's forest coverage to over 25 percent, with total forest stock volume exceeding 20 billion cubic meters. China has cumulatively afforested over 773 million hectares, making China the country with the largest increase in green coverage globally.

The proportion of days with good air quality nationwide reached 87.2 percent, and the proportion of surface water sections with good quality reached 90.4 percent. Additionally, 3.22 million hectares of grasslands were restored, and 2.78 million hectares of desertified and rocky desertification land were treated. A "green belt" stretching over 3,000 kilometers encircles the Taklimakan Desert in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Launched in 1978, the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, the world's largest afforestation initiative, aims at halting desertification across northwest, north and northeast China. In recent years, the government has invested 32 billion yuan (about $4.4 billion) into the program, supporting 287 ecological projects and 58 nursery bases. About 3.8 million hectares of land was treated last year under the program. These efforts are crucial in stabilizing the ecosystem of arid regions.

Beyond large-scale afforestation, regional ecological projects have also yielded significant results. Over the past decade, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has made significant progress in ecological restoration. Beijing has implemented over 13,000 hectares of afforestation, Tianjin over 300 hectares, and Hebei Province over 425,000 hectares. These projects have played a key role in reducing dust storms, improving air quality and enhancing regional biodiversity.

China completed ecological protection and restoration of more than 5 million hectares of land in 2024. Beijing, Ninghe District in Tianjin, and seven other Chinese regions and cities were recognized as "Biodiversity Charming Cities" at the 8th Summit of Subnational Governments and Cities during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.

As of 2023, the country's annual carbon sink exceeded 1.2 billion tonnes, and over 200 cities have earned the title of "National Forest City." Additionally, village greenery coverage has exceeded 32 percent, underscoring the importance of afforestation in both urban and rural areas.

China's afforestation strategies have evolved from simply increasing forest coverage to optimizing tree species selection based on scientific research. This method ensures that afforestation efforts are tailored to local climate and soil conditions, enhancing forest resilience and ecological stability. By prioritizing biodiversity, China has significantly improved forest quality, increasing its ability to absorb carbon, prevent soil erosion, and conserve water resources.

Tree planting day is celebrated worldwide, with different countries adopting unique traditions. In Japan, "Greenery Day" is observed on May 4 as a public holiday, encouraging nature appreciation and environmental awareness. While in the United States, each state selects its own date for Arbor Day. These global observances highlight the universal recognition of trees' critical role in environmental sustainability and reflect the shared vision of a greener future across different nations.

China's continued efforts in afforestation not only benefit its own environment, but also contribute to global ecological conservation. As the 2025 government work report emphasizes, China is actively promoting the construction of Beautiful China pilot zones, striving to meet people's growing expectations for a better ecological environment and a sustainable future.

(Cover designed by CGTN's Zhu Shangfan)