On April 10, under the theme of "Greener Beijing, Shared Winter Olympics", the 2021 Beijing International Friendship Forest Tree Planting Event took place at Strawberry Expo Garden, Xingshou Town in Changping District of Beijing. Among the over 200 participants were foreign diplomatic envoys to China, as well as foreign experts and students in Beijing from over 30 countries across five continents.

Zhang Qian, Executive Vice President of the Beijing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (BPAFFC) and Director of the International Relations Department of the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, addressed the opening ceremony. She said that this year marked the 40th anniversary of China's national tree planting campaign, and this event was a concrete action of Beijing in responding to the UN's sustainable development goals, tackling climate change and promoting green development. With the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games around the corner, this event also reflected Beijing's commitment to hosting the Games in a green, shared, open and clean manner, while promoting the harmony of man and nature, and contributing to the building of a community of shared future for mankind.

Ann Derwin, the Irish Ambassador to China, delivered a speech on behalf of the foreign participants. "I have witnessed China's extraordinary efforts in tree planting. Whether it's the improved air quality or the abundance of green shaded areas, all the local residents and foreign visitors to China can feel the favorable impact of such actions on the environment," she said, adding that Ireland is committed to environmental protection and green development and expects to deepen cooperation with Beijing for a greener future.

After the opening ceremony, the attendees planted trees together in the field.

Emanuele De Maigret, Minister Counselor of the Italian Embassy in China, who has lived in Beijing for five years, participated in the event together with his two sons. Speaking of Beijing’s urban landscaping, he said that Beijing has become a very livable city with its constant expansion of green areas. His sons have learned a lot about environmental protection at school, and it will enhance their environmental awareness. Their family will live a green and environmentally friendly life to boost the green development of Beijing. Italy, he added, a world leader in environmental protection, will keep strengthening cooperation and exchanges with Beijing to jointly create a better world.

Valentyna Oliinyk, Second Secretary at the Ukrainian Embassy in China, said she was honored to participate in the event. Valentyna has lived in Beijing for three years, and witnessed significant environmental changes in Beijing. She said, "With the constant improvement of the urban environment, we are able to hear the chirping of birds in Beijing more and more. Beijing's environment is becoming better and better." 

Shandy, who works for China Media Group, is from Havana, Cuba. He has lived in Beijing for three years with his family and witnessed Beijing's efforts in tree planting. "This event is of great significance. Hopefully, I will be able to participate in more such environmental activities," he said, adding, "The world should work together more closely to tackle environmental problems."

Spartak Tadevosyan, an Armenian student at the Central University of Finance and Economics, said, "I have longed to participate in a social practice event about the environment, so I am very excited. This event has created an exchange platform for students from around the world and so I made a lot of new friends here." Pakistani student Mubashir khan said it was his first time participating in tree planting in Beijing. "I hope I will be able to participate in more such events to contribute to global environmental protection."
Following the event, the host presented the "Certificate of Honor for Afforestation" to the Chinese and foreign participants.

The "Beijing International Friendship Forest" Tree Planting Event is hosted by BPAFFC, Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality, Capital Greening Office, Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League, Beijing NGO Network for International Exchanges, Beijing Minhe International Exchanges Foundation and the Changping District People's Government of Beijing Municipality. The event has been held successfully five times since it started in 2015, with a total of over 5,000 trees planted. Lots of foreigners in Beijing have taken part in the event and become its loyal fans. This traditional, friendly people-to-people exchanges event has gradually developed into an international tree-planting event with the longest duration, the largest scale, the richest forms, and the most participants. 

(Note: Content source is from CRI Online.)