| March 12th is China's annually National Tree-planting | | | | Xiaoping (1904-1997), the active initiator of |
| Day, or Chinese Tree Day. On this day, millions of | | | | Chinese tree-planting movement and the designer |
| Chinese, from all walks of life, will put their work | | | | of China's reform and opening-up policy, had |
| at hands aside for a moment, take shovels and | | | | planted trees on the 12th of March continuously |
| buckets as well as saplings, and trek out to green | | | | for eight years. Benefited from the Planting |
| up their hometowns. | | | | Festival, more and more Chinese people realize |
| First created by the US agriculturist Sterling | | | | the urgency and importance to protect |
| Morton in 1872, Tree-planting Day was set in | | | | environment and pursue environment-friendly |
| order to inspire people's passions for planting and | | | | development. It is estimated that 50 billion trees |
| protecting trees, and to protect and improve the | | | | had been planted all over China in such voluntary |
| natural environment on which people depend on | | | | campaigns during the past years. |
| for their living. | | | | Now planting seedlings in the spring has become a |
| China's Tree-planting Day could date back to a | | | | bit of tradition for Chinese, marking the beginning |
| proposal made by Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925), a | | | | of children's schooling, one's enrollment of |
| great China revolution leader, to Beiyang | | | | colleague in army service, or for a wedding or |
| Government (1915-1927) in 1915 and then a | | | | birthday celebration. It has also been adopted by |
| regulation was formally publicized that | | | | people in many areas as a way to commemorate |
| Tomb-sweeping Festival (April 5th) was adopted | | | | the dead, and to prevent well-cultivated from |
| as the official day for planting trees. However, | | | | being taken over. |
| April 5th was a late time for planting samplings in | | | | For those living in the big cities, Tree-planting Day |
| Southern China and so it was changed to March | | | | is an excellent time for city skipping. They often |
| 12th by the Nanjing National Government | | | | take the planting as a nice short tour back to the |
| (1927-1949) in order to memorize Sun Yat-sen, | | | | nature with their family members. After their field |
| who passed away on March 12th. | | | | work together, they not only harvest greener |
| In February 1979, the 5th National People's | | | | environment, but also more harmonious family |
| Congress of People Republic of China made a | | | | relations with their beloveds as well as more |
| resolution that March 12th would be taken as | | | | enthusiasm for the future. |
| Chinese Tree-Planting Day, requiring the whole | | | | Meanwhile, more and more expats in China and |
| country to carry out planting activities on this day | | | | foreign tourists make a special interval to take |
| and support the construction of forestry. | | | | part in the festival. They are even authorized by |
| When March 12th is approaching every year, | | | | the some local government to name and nurse |
| country leaders, civil servants, company | | | | the trees they have planted. It is so interesting |
| employees, and even school pupils go outdoors to | | | | for them to find that their plants have grown to |
| fulfill a citizens' obligation of planting trees. Deng | | | | big trees still with their name board on it. |