The spirit of Youyu people
Youyu is a county located in northwestern Shanxi Province. In the early 1950s, there were only 5.3 square km of forests – a forest coverage rate of 0.3 percent. Some environmental scholars described Youyu one of the worst possible places for human habitation. For decades the local people have dedicated themselves to afforestation endeavors in a drive to improve the harsh natural conditions. Today, the local forest coverage rate has risen to 54 percent, and once-barren lands have been turned into pleasant areas of greenery.
During his inspection tour to Shanxi in June 2017, Xi Jinping talked about the spirit of the Youyu people. He praised the local officials for their commitment to governing for the public good, and for providing leadership to the local people in changing their living conditions through hard work, perseverance, resilience, and a deep respect for science.
右玉精神
右玉县地处山西省西北端。新中国成立初期,全县只有5.3平方千米残林,森林覆盖率仅有0.3%,当时有环境专家将右玉列入“最不适宜人类生存的地区”。为了改善生存环境,右玉县干部群众自力更生、艰苦奋斗,坚持植树造林不动摇,改善自然环境不动摇,终于把塞外不毛之地变成了“塞上江南”。右玉的自然环境得到了根本改善,森林覆盖率达到54%。
在这个过程中,当地人民逐步形成了“执政为民、尊重科学、百折不挠、艰苦奋斗”的右玉精神。2017年6月,习近平在山西视察工作时强调,右玉精神是宝贵财富,一定要大力学习和弘扬。
