Wan Wenhua, the mayor of Taizhou – the prefecture-level city located in East China's Jiangsu province – led municipal officials and the public in a tree-planting event at Lancui Bay in the Taizhou Medical High Tech Zone on March 14. 

During the event, Wan and her team learned about the city's greening efforts and they joined locals in planting various trees. 

The municipal leaders of Taizhou, including Wan Wenhua (center), wield shovels during the tree-planting activity. [Photo by Fang Yuting]

Wan stressed the city's commitment to its environmental care, advocating pollution controls, a green transformation and ecological governance. 

She stressed the importance of the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" and the need to enhance the city's beauty and the well-being of its residents.

Under the 14th Five-Year plan (2021-25), Taizhou has expanded its forested areas to 1.93 million mu (128,666.66 hectares) and it boasted a 25.64 percent total coverage rate by the end of last year. 

Taizhou is home to 1.78 million mu of wetlands, encompassing five wetland parks and a remarkable 42.5 percent wetlands protection rate. The city is also a sanctuary for 50 rare species of wildlife and 80 nationally protected species.