I wish to express our utmost gratitude to you on behalf of my fellow citizens of China. My name is Chao Lun and I practice medicine in Yulin. I learnt about your activities from Prof. Sun Ruo Huai and was tremendously impressed by what you are doing. I therefore decided to join the tree-planting activities you are conducting this time.

      Yulin, sandwiched between the Loess Plateau and the Mu Us Desert, is under the influence of climatic changes taking place in Siberia. The land surface is bare, sand dunes advance towards the city and a vast area is subject to desertification. Serious water shortages, land erosion, un-regulated waste disposal, all coupled with a rapid industrialization process, are accelerating the environmental pollution. The government is trying to cope with this problem but with difficulties. These environmental problems extend to suburban communities, leaving the land un-attended. Mountains are bare, rivers are filled by sand, and the land is scorched by the Sun. Thus, sand storms and water shortages affect people�fs lives adversely. These problems, I believe, will affect not only China but also other countries on this planet.

      Under the circumstances, I am convinced that your current tree-planting activities give us citizens of Yulin and Shaanxi Province a hope and a vision for the future. We are really grateful to the members of your organization. The tree-planting activities by your organization have taught the people here about the importance of protecting the environment by themselves and of the need to upgrade their living standards on their own.

      Our joint efforts at Mahuangliang, Yulin have just begun. I wish that your organization will be the guiding light for each and every citizen of this city and the leaves of planted trees will soon cover the sky. All of us here, in Yulin and Shaanxi Province, welcome you and thank you for what you are doing for us.

      I pray that your activities will expand and I offer my thanks to you for your humanitarian assistance. I pledge that I will do my utmost in our joint endeavor to protect the environment.