China has seen sustained progress in land greening and forest growth in recent years, with its forest coverage reaching approximately 241 million hectares, the equivalent of about 100 trees per person.
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–2025), China completed over 36.5 million hectares of afforestation.
The country's forest coverage rate has reached 25.09 percent, with forest stock volume totaling almost 20.99 billion cubic meters.
China has called for nationwide participation in afforestation, emphasizing that greening efforts must be persistent and ultimately benefit the people. Innovative methods are transforming ecological liabilities into valuable assets, delivering both environmental gains and tangible benefits for local communities.
In Huainan, east China's Anhui Province, a former coal mining subsidence area has been converted into a vibrant ecological park.
Once scarred by industrial activity, the site now features wetlands, forests and walking trails, effectively improving local living conditions.
"We are now scaling up forestry and new energy industries to boost both ecological and economic benefits, and creating a replicable model for resource-based cities. We've developed a model of 'restoration plus photovoltaics plus tourism.' It not only restores the environment, but also generates clean energy and economic returns, turning ecological burdens into green assets," said Wang Meng, technical lead of Huainan Western Mining Subsidence Area Project.
"This used to be a mining pit with poor conditions. Now it's a beautiful park with clear water and lush trees. We come here every day," said Yang Chunlei, a local resident.
Large-scale greening efforts are also gaining momentum under China's Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program (TSFP), the world's largest afforestation initiative, launched in 1978 to combat desertification in the country's northwestern, northern and northeastern regions.
In Ulanqab, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, people have planted trees across vast sandy and barren lands, working to curb desertification and strengthen China's northern ecological barrier.
This year alone, the city plans to complete afforestation and restoration across approximately 66,700 hectares.
"As a main battlefield for the 'Three-North' project, we will continue advancing the construction of Phase VI, building a more solid green ecological shield in northern China," said Zhang Zhiyong, deputy director with the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Xinghe County.
From restoring former industrial land to expanding green frontiers in arid regions, China's afforestation drive is shifting toward higher-quality development, aiming to improve ecosystems while delivering lasting benefits to the people.
China sees sustained progress in afforestation
