China achieved a major milestone in ecological restoration by completing 8.47 million hectares of land greening projects in 2025, according to data released at Thursday's National Forestry and Grassland Work Conference. This ambitious initiative represents an area equivalent to 80% of South Korea's total landmass.
Breaking Down the Numbers: The annual effort included 3.56 million hectares of new afforestation and 4.93 million hectares of degraded grassland rehabilitation. These projects form part of China's broader strategy to combat desertification and enhance carbon sequestration capabilities.
Economic Implications: The greening drive has created new opportunities in eco-tourism and sustainable agriculture, particularly benefiting rural communities. Analysts note increased interest from overseas investors in carbon credit markets linked to these environmental projects.
Officials at the conference emphasized that these efforts align with China's commitment to peak carbon emissions before 2030. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration announced plans to maintain similar restoration targets for 2026, with particular focus on the Yellow River basin and Yangtze River Economic Belt regions.
