Representative Liu Haiying from the Saihanba Afforestation Community receives an interview with Xinhua in Nairobi, Kenya, Dec. 4, 2017. Saihanba Afforestation Community in north China's Hebei Province received the United Nations' highest environmental honor, the Champions of the Earth award, during the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, for transforming degraded land into a lush paradise. (Xinhua/Chen Cheng)
Liu Haiying, head of Saihanba Forest Farm said that restoring degraded forests has capacity to unleash huge ecological, social and monetary benefits.
"I believe that as long as we continue to promote ecological civilization, generation after generation, China can create more green miracles like Saihanba and achieve harmony between humans and nature," said Liu.
China bagged three of the six prizes presented to pioneers in environmental conservation during this year's edition of Champions of the Earth Award.
In addition to Saihanba, which won in the category of "Inspiration and Action," Chinese bike-sharing company Mobike, which has revolutionized urban mobility, and Wang Wenbiao, Chairman of Elion Resources Group that is credited with transforming deserts into pristine oasis, also reaped the coveted environmental award.
They were awarded in the categories of "Entrepreneurial Vision" and "Lifetime Achievement Award" respectively.
Other famous names who received UN's top environmental honor includes the President of Chile Michelle Bachelet.
