The Chinese government on Wednesday launched a greening campaign in its vast western region, stricken with deteriorating environments.

 

Jia Qinglin, honorary chairman of the Green China Fund, said afforestation and improving the ecological environment were necessities for China's sustainable socio-economic development.

 

Western regions’ environment has improved due to the return of cultivated land to forest and grazing land to grassland, he said.

 

However, a continuing effort is needed to secure long-term environmental protection said Jia, member of the CPCCC Political Bureau’s Standing City and chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee

 

The campaign will focus on preventing soil erosion, deforestation as well as poverty reduction and related fund-raising.

 

A Guangdong timber company donated 10 million yuan (US$1.25 million) and China National Tobacco Corp. seven million yuan (US$150,000) respectively to the campaign at the ceremony.

 

 

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 28, 2006)