China has made remarkable achievements in forestry breeding during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) by developing high-quality tree varieties to support the country's major ecological projects. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, China has improved the precision of superior-variety selection to over 70 percent through strengthening research in new tree varieties, making breakthroughs in gene-editing technologies and establishing a full-genome selection system. Researchers have so far developed 67 improved varieties for major timber species. To meet the needs of afforestation in challenging environments, particularly in the arid and nutrient-poor areas in northeast, north, and northwest regions of the country, scientists have cultivated more than 110 stress-resistant varieties. These improved species now account for about 85 percent of the seedlings used in key ecological programs, with applications covering over 33,000 hectares nationwide and radiating more than 133,000 hectares. "The main challenges now lie in lands with harsh conditions, such as saline-alkali soils and the drought-stricken areas in northeast, north, and northwest regions of the country. These areas require varieties that can withstand drought, salinity and, in some cases strong winds. Breeding such varieties will not only help expand greenery, but also contribute to a more stable and optimized global ecosystem," said Wang Yangdong, chairman of Chinese Academy of Forestry. SHOTLIST: FILE: China - Date Unknown 1. Aerial shot of mountains covered by forest; 2. Woods; 3. Sign reading (Chinese) "National key lab for tree breeding"; 4. Various of researchers working in lab, samples on display; 5. Aerial shots of arid lands, workers working; 6. Aerial shots of forests; 7. Various of researchers working in lab; Beijing, China - Recent 8. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wang Yangdong, chairman of Chinese Academy of Forestry (starting with shot 7/ending with shots 9-10): "The main challenges now lie in lands with harsh conditions, such as saline-alkali soils and the drought-stricken areas in northeast, north, and northwest regions of the country. These areas require varieties that can withstand drought, salinity and, in some cases strong winds. Breeding such varieties will not only help expand greenery, but also contribute to a more stable and optimized global ecosystem."; FILE: China - Date Unknown 9. Various of tree breeding samples; 10. Aerial shots of forests. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]