(Photo/Wu Sheng)

Jiangsu leaders planted trees in a scenic spot along the Yangtze River in Nanjing’s Pukou District on February 28 and called for efforts to protect nature in the high-quality development.

The scenic spot is being developed as a key part of the city’s ecological corridor. Before planting saplings of different types of trees, Lou Qinjian, secretary of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and director of the Standing Committee of the Jiangsu People's Congress and Wu Zhenglong, deputy secretary of the CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee and provincial governor, heard reports about forestry development in Jiangsu, afforestation efforts in Nanjing, and Pukou’s environmental protection along the river.

In the voluntary tree-planting activity, Lou and Wu also talked with officials and urged efforts in systematic planning and implementation to ensure the greening along the river and promote harmony between human and nature.

Lou said it’s important to adhere to the Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and deeply implement the idea of ecological civilization and spirits in important speeches that Xi made during his inspection of Jiangsu.

Keeping in mind the important role in driving the national development and the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Jiangsu should strengthen the protection and restoration of the river’s ecosystem, promote the afforestation on both riversides, increase the green space and ecological progress, and continue the integrated management of natural resources including water, fields and lakes, said Lou.

Through solid measures, Jiangsu needs to fully implement the new development concept, make new progress in ecological protection and sustainable development, and fulfill the key mission of being a trailblazer and a role model.

Huang Lixin, chairwoman of the Jiangsu Committee of the CPPCC, and Zhang Jinghua, deputy secretary of CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee also joined the activity.