I just saw a piece of news saying that China's planted forest area is already the largest in the world. I don't quite understand—since there are already so many trees, why do we still call on people to plant trees every year?

Many people have this question. Being number one in area doesn't mean forest resources are truly abundant. China's forest coverage rate is about 25%. Although it has doubled compared to 40 years ago, the global average is 31%, and per capita forest area is only about 30% of the world average.

I see. So the total looks large, but when divided per person, it's actually not much, right?

Exactly. And the distribution is uneven. There are many forests in the northeast and the south, but in the northwest, places like the Taklamakan Desert have a dry climate, making greening very difficult. That's why the country has been promoting desertification control projects in recent years.

I remember last year's news said that the outskirts of the Taklamakan Desert were surrounded by green vegetation, like putting a 'green scarf' on the desert. That sounded quite impressive.

Yes. But there's another issue—the 'quality' of forests. Many planted forests consist of a single tree species chosen for fast growth, but their ecological stability is not as strong as natural forests. They are more vulnerable to pests or extreme weather.

So that means now it's not just about planting more trees, but also planting them more scientifically—like increasing species diversity to improve ecosystem stability.

Exactly. And the value of forests is also growing. Besides preventing wind and sand and purifying the air, industries like under-forest economy and eco-tourism have developed. Some people say forests are both 'water reservoirs' and 'treasure vaults.'

After hearing your explanation, I understand. Tree planting is not only an environmental action, but also related to economic development and future resources. It seems the old saying 'One generation plants trees, the next enjoys the shade' still makes a lot of sense.