China celebrates National Tree Planting Day with major greening achievements

(ECNS) -- March 12 marks China’s National Tree Planting Day. Since the 2012, China has carried out large-scale land greening initiatives, adding about 7.73 million hectares of new forests, making it the fastest-growing country in global afforestation, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration of China (NFGA).

In 2024, China completed over 6.67 million hectares of land greening, according to NFGA. This feat includes about 4.45 million hectares of afforestation and 3.22 million hectares of grassland improvement.

China's forest coverage now exceeds 25 percent, with a total forest stock volume of over 20 billion cubic meters. The country also boasts over 50 percent grassland vegetation coverage and the largest area of planted forests in the world.

In 2024, China’s forestry industry achieved a total output value of 10.17 trillion yuan (about $1.4 trillion).

Emphasizing a diversified food supply, the country has enhanced its forest food production capacity, which now exceeds 200 million metric tons annually, making it the third most important agricultural product after grain and vegetables.