In Changting county, Fujian province, stands a flourishing camphor tree—a living testament to Xi Jinping's unwavering dedication to combatting local soil and water loss.

This story began on November 27, 1999, when, in his role as deputy Party chief and governor of the province, Xi identified the pressing issue. Recognizing its significance, he elevated it to one of the top 15 province-level concerns.

In a symbolic act of commitment, Xi personally donated 1,000 yuan ($140) in May 2000 to plant the now-iconic camphor tree. In October of the following year, pleased to see the sapling transformed into a lush green tree, he grabbed a shovel and personally earthed up and watered it.

The visual narrative continues to unfold with remarkable success—Changting's soil erosion rate plummeted from 31.5 percent in 1985 to an astonishing 6.57 percent in 2022. Today, Changting stands as a testament to environmental restoration, with over 80 percent of its land cloaked in vibrant, green forests.