Special report:   2008 Olympic Games

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) takes part in tree planting at the Olympic Forest Park in Beijing, capital of China, April 5, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, April 6 -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and other senior leaders took part in a tree-planting event at the Olympic Forest Park on Saturday.

    President Hu Jintao and other senior leaders, including Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang, and Zhou Yongkang, participated in a tree-planting event with workers, Olympic volunteers, and Young Pioneers.

    President Hu asked the Young Pioneers to water the trees after he had planted them.

    He also asked officials from the State Forestry Administration about the country's recent green initiatives.

    He stressed the importance of forestation, saying that mobilizing the society for "green" labors is an effective way to help protect the country's ecological system. Hu added that continuous efforts will lead to environmental improvement.

    The leaders then climbed to the top of a hill in the park to survey the results of green initiatives around them.

    Taking in the beautiful scenery around the park, President Hu said the Olympic Forest Park has made the capital an "urban forest". He urged the city's residents to plant more trees, to welcome visitors from around the world during the Olympics.

    Covering a space of some 680 hectares and located in the north of the capital, the park is a major part of the 2008 Olympic infrastructure, and is expected to improve the city's environment and air quality.

    Since 2001, top Chinese leaders have come to the park for tree planting almost every year. About half a million trees have been planted in the park so far.

(Source: CCTV.com)

China's top leaders join Olympics planting day

Top Chinese leaders Hu Jintao (5th R), Wu Bangguo (4th R), Wen Jiabao (5th L), Jia Qinglin (3rd R), Li Changchun (4th L), Xi Jinping (2nd R), Li Keqiang (3rd L), He Guoqiang (1st R), and Zhou Yongkang (2nd L) take part in tree planting at the Olympic Forest Park in Beijing, capital of China, April 5, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and other senior leaders took part in a voluntary tree planting activity at the Olympic Forest Park here on Saturday.

    China's top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao, top political advisor Jia Qinglin, as well as Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang, and Zhou Yongkang also planted trees at the park next to the national stadium, the main venue of the Beijing Olympic Games. Full story