"We have planted 530,000 trees of 180 different breeds, and it will surely become a shining spot for the Olympics," said Yang Tong, Vice General Manager of the Olympic Forest Park Development Co. Ltd.

In recent years, the Beijing Municipal Government has taken into consideration the living environment of residents and required that each district of the city should develop one or two large-scale green areas annually. Meanwhile open space has been fully utilized to develop small green parks in accordance with the reality of residential districts so that residents have access to parks and green areas within 500 meters of their homes. In addition, various approaches have been adopted to create a greener environment for downtown areas. These include greening on roofs and developing green-covered parking lots, so that residents can enjoy a green lifestyle despite living in a city.

During the period 2001-07, the green land area in Beijing rose by 10,000 hectares, trees increased by 22.71 million and lawn areas grew by 46.53 million square meters, which greatly improved the environment in the city by sequestrating 211,000 tons of carbon dioxide. Now, Beijing has weeping willow trees along Changpuhe River, towering old trees in the Temple of Heaven, green city walls along the Second Ring Road and Landscape Avenue along the Fourth Ring Road. A large open green area covering 10,000 square meters has been developed along the Financial Street.

To help combat sandstorms, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, promulgated laws and regulations to combat desertification. In recent years, the Central Government has invested 14 billion yuan ($2.04 billion) annually to implement land control in key areas.

A total of 463 institutions in the city have worked together with 277 villages in carrying out the "Joint Efforts for Building a New Countryside" activity. They have helped each other in greening endeavors so as to make the suburban area greener and more beautiful.

Future Goals

Last year, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese Government proposed a strategic goal of building an ecological culture by 2020. According to the plan, national forest cover shall reach 20 percent by 2010, and 26 percent by 2050. By 2030, over 90 percent of natural wetlands shall be effectively protected, and a quite complete wetland conservation and management system shall be established. By 2050, nature reserves will account for 16 percent of the total land area.

"I would like to mention that the greening undertaking has received not only support from all walks of life in Beijing, but also assistance from the international community," said Dong Ruilong, Director of the Beijing Municipal Gardens Bureau at a press conference. Seventeen forestry cooperation projects have been implemented jointly with 11 countries and three international organizations, which helped facilitate the greening campaign in Beijing. Meanwhile, the Chinese Government has actively taken part in global planting to fulfill its responsibility as a big country. It attaches great importance to and actively takes part in the1- Billion Plantations Campaign and 6.7-Billion Plantations Campaign that were initiated by the United Nations Environment Program. The Chinese Government implements international conventions, proactively participates in combating the illegal timber trade, and has issued Chinese Enterprises Guidelines for Sustainable Management of Forests Abroad to promote global forest resource rehabilitation and sustainable development.

"The pursuit of a green life is a symbol of modern civilization and our ultimate goal as well. We are confident and determined to make new achievements in the future," said Liu Tuo, General Director of the Desertification Combating Office of the State Forestry Administration.