The photo shows that recently, a Fuxing EMU train crossed the Chengjiang double-line bridge on the Guiyang-Nanning High Speed Railway. CR-Nanning has vigorously implemented greening enhancement projects in key railway hubs and key stations along the railway lines in Nanning, Liuzhou, and Guilin, creating a picturesque green landscape. Photo by Li Qin.

　　Beijing, March 15 (Reported by Zhou Qiong) - As spring returns and trees blossom, the railway greening efforts have yielded remarkable results on the occasion of the 46th Arbor Day. By the end of 2023, the greening rate of railway lines had reached 87.9%, with the scale of railway trees continuing to grow, and the quality of greening further improved.

　　President Xi Jinping has emphasized that ecological civilization construction is a fundamental task related to the sustainable development of the Chinese nation, a significant political issue related to the Party's mission and purpose, and a major social issue related to people's well-being.

　　CR comprehensively studies and implements Xi Jinping thought on eco-civilization, and firmly upholds and practices the notion that green mountains and clear waters are valuable assets. Focusing on constructing a railway safety barrier and beautifying the environment along railway lines, it continuously strengthens and expands the achievements of railway greening efforts, contributing to the construction of a beautiful China where humans and nature coexist harmoniously. By the end of 2023, there were 782.52 million shrubs and 165.31 million trees along the national railway, On the 66,618-kilometer-long railways suitable for forestation, 58,551 kilometers had been greened, an increase of 4.8% year on year.

　　The picturesque green corridors require routine efforts. Each specific number reflects the wisdom and commitment of the railway authority to green development, while each effective measure demonstrates the practical results of the railway authority's efforts to serve the construction of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

　　The thousands of miles of railways are not only the national economic arteries but also the "green channels" of beautiful China. In 2023, the national railway put into operation 3,637 kilometers of new lines. Green protection measures have been extensively utilized to strengthen safety barriers on railway lines, including the Guiyang-Nanning High Speed Railway, Ningbo-Guangzhou High Speed Railway, and Nanjingnan-Taicang High Speed Railway. Comprehensive greening was achieved in suitable areas along the railway lines, resulting in improved survival rates of plants and the quality of greening.

　　As the construction of western railways accelerates, CR has invested more in desert control, guiding relevant units to carry out both classified and comprehensive desertification response measures based on consolidating existing achievements. In 2023, key lines such as the Linhe-Hami Railway, Baotou-Lanzhou Railway, Qinghai-Tibet Railway, and Jining-Erenhot Railway were targeted for desert control. Among them, on the Linhe-Hami Railway, CR constructed 195 kilometers of new high sand barriers and 2.06 million square meters of PE mesh, and sowed 160,000 square meters of grass seeds. With the greenery advancing and the desert receding, green barriers are erected along the railway lines, acting as strong guardians to firmly block the yellow sand, ensuring the safe and smooth operation of the steel arteries and injecting new vitality into the local economy and society.

　　Looking at the map of China's railways, the crisscrossing "green channels" are bustling with activity, closely linking the magnificent landscapes of the motherland. Since last year, the railway authority has continuously improved the railway tree management system, revised and formulated multiple forestry management methods and operating standards, and effectively strengthened the maintenance of forest protection equipment. These measures have solidly promoted the planting of missing trees and renewal of trees, with a continuous focus on the prevention and control of forest diseases and pests and the prevention of railway forest fires. CR-Shenyang has used drones to spray pesticides, and various methods such as cutting and burning infected trees to control forest diseases and pests, covering an area of 400 hectares, involving 250,000 trees. CR-Harbin has developed a "Forest Protection Patrol Information System," further improving the efficiency of forestry resource management and utilization.

　　Major events have garnered global attention in 2023. As the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Boao Forum for Asia provide opportunities, the railway authority has focused on improving the greening quality of railways around Hangzhou and the Hainan Roundabout Railway. Throughout the year, the railway lines added 52.09 million shrubs and 0.82 million trees, continuously improving the green channels, strengthening the role of safety barriers and soil conservation, and further beautifying the environment along railway lines and stations.

　　Watering railway trees with sweat, and guarding the evergreen railway with wisdom, the railway authority actively spreads and practices the concept that green mountains and clear waters are as valuable assets. Following the arrival of spring, greenery extends gradually along the tracks. The railway authority further consolidates the achievements of railway greening, continuously adding green hues and quality to high-quality development, and striving to compose a new chapter in the ecological civilization construction of the new era.