Decades ago, no one would imagine that Saihanba - the once barren land located 
in north China's Hebei Province - would turn into the world's largest man-made 
forest. 

China did it. 

Saihanba now sees a forest coverage of 80 percent, which can conserve and 
purify 137 million cubic meters of water every year, an achievement hailed 
"great" by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"It is a model in the world's ecological civilization history," he said during 
his recent two-day tour in Hebei.

During his trip, Xi learned about the management and protection of the forest 
farm, as well as Hebei's coordinated efforts in conserving its mountains, 
rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes and grasslands, and desertification control. 

The president stressed the importance of developing the green economy and 
furthering ecological progress, urging to carry on "Saihanba spirit"—a term 
attributed to generations of workers on the farm who have kept their mission in 
mind, worked hard and pursued green development. 

Xi urged the workers at the Saihanba forest farm to gain a deeper understanding 
of ecological conservation and continue their hard work for new achievements.  

Xi encourages elderlies to stay active in job market

Facing a rapidly aging labor force in a continuously expanding economy, Xi 
encouraged more elderly folks to "stay active" in the job market when 
inspecting the Binhe community service center.

Xi suggested those "younger seniors" to participate in duties like community 
volunteering jobs.

According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, there are currently 264 
million people aged 60 and over, accounting for 18.7 percent of the total 
population. The trend - many say - could potentially pose threats to the 
world's second-largest economy.

The country has put it explicitly in its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) that 
it will raise the statutory retirement age "in a gradual, flexible and 
differentiated manner" to adapt to that "new normal."

During his visit, Xi also stressed the need to achieve this year's major goals 
for the country's economic and social development. 

He underlined the need to achieve a balance between COVID-19 prevention and 
control and economic and social development, and between development and 
security, to promote high-quality development, and to strive to fulfill major 
social and economic targets and tasks for this year to ensure a good start of 
the 14th Five-Year Plan.

A new development philosophy in an all-round, faithful manner is need to put 
into practice, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) 
Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said.

Xi calls for preservation and development of cultural heritage

In the renowned Chengde Mountain Resort – a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage 
site—Xi learned about its history as well as the preservation efforts there.

The resort serves important historic meanings to communication between 
different ethnic minority groups, adaption of religion and the society, 
preservation and development of cultural heritage, as well as the peaceful 
coexistence between human and nature, Xi pointed out.

He also highlighted cultural confidence and the unity between multi-ethnic 
groups.

The Chinese president then visited Puning Temple, a famous Buddhist temple near 
the resort, and the Chengde Museum.

Xi: From 'rural revitalization' to 'industry revitalization'

China has always viewed rural vitalization as one of the keys to developing a 
modern economy, and President Xi took that a step further. He stressed the 
importance of "industry revitalization."

Daguikou village—where Xi visited—now grows strawberries, grapes and cherries. 
Yet fruit was not their first choice.

The village had tried rice, corn and vegetables. But for all sorts of reasons 
like the lack of water, these products were underproduced. Therefore, villagers 
couldn't make money off them. So they turned to growing fruits instead.

Now, growing strawberries has become the main business for the 1,700 residents, 
with each household making around $15,000 a year.

Xi called on villages to implement tailored methods and find out their 
distinctive resource in singling out their advantages, while also calling to 
strengthen rural infrastructure and public service system.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-08-25/Aging-in-China-Xi-encourages-seniors-to-stay-active-in-job-market-131aEaOXqU0/index.html 


Source: CGTN