On Saturday, locals, as well as foreigners, have the opportunity to help improve the capital's environment.

"Around April 6 each year - a day Beijing citizens have a duty to plant trees - there will be dozens of places open to the public for tree planting," said Dong Xiaoyun, with the Capital Afforestation Committee Office.

"The places, chosen according to the office's requirements, are suitable for growing trees, safe and easy to access," he added.

Most places provide free planting kits, and people can buy different kinds of saplings there for 20 to 60 yuan (US$2.4 to US$7.2) each.

Two such locations are the area of 30 hectares in Wali, Chaoyang District, and a 10-hectare area along the railway between Beijing Railway Station and Beijing Southern Railway Station in Chongwen District.

"Almost every district and county of Beijing has designated an area for tree planting for the convenience of residents," Dong added.

As for groups of foreigners who volunteer to plant trees in Beijing, local foreign affair offices - which they have to report to beforehand - can help them arrange reservations and transportation.

Planting trees to protect and improve the environment has been a constant focus by the government, Dong said.

According to the Resolution on Launching the Voluntary Tree-planting Campaign among the People issued in December 1981, every healthy Chinese citizens older than 11 has a duty of planting three to five trees each year without pay.

As Beijing won the bid of hosting the 2008 Olympics last year, Beijingers are all the more eager to help improve the city's environment in preparing for the game.

Last year, at least 163,000 people planted more than 1 million trees in 23 locations in the capital, expanding the proportion of wooded area in Beijing's urban areas to 38 percent.

For full details of the event, visit the office's website at www.bjlhb.gov.cn.

(China Daily April 5, 2002)