Fujian's green transition: Forests, energy, and public action

Lush greenery envelops the pedestrian walkway at Jinji Mountain Park in Fuzhou, Fujian province. [Photo by Chen Nuan / for China Daily]

Fujian province has maintained the highest forest coverage rate in China for 47 consecutive years, reaching 65.85 percent with all major river basins recording excellent water quality. Air quality also ranks among the nation's best as the province pushes its green transition through industrial upgrading and a "four-reservoir" forestry initiative that views forests as reservoirs of water, grain, wealth, and carbon.

This green transition is expanding green manufacturing by scaling production of power batteries and energy storage systems while shifting the energy grid toward a mix of wind, solar, hydrogen, and nuclear power.

This provincial development is anchored by the "four-reservoir" forestry initiative pilot, which in 2025 saw 1.03 million mu (68,933 hectares) of afforestation and the creation of 292 forest-based economic bases generating over 100 billion yuan ($14.54 billion). Total forestry output surpassed 854.8 billion yuan, including 274.9 billion yuan from eco-tourism.

Fujian's green transition also emphasizes public participation. The province has launched 2,877 online activities, attracting 187,800 participants who donated 8.28 million yuan. Through 56 provincial service points, scanning QR codes to join planting trees has become a new trend.

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