On the morning of March 12, representatives of students and faculty from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and The Chinese University of Hong Kong participated in the Tree Planting Event at Ling College. Together, they planted the "Saraca Asoca" tree to honor forestry pioneers Professor Ling Daoyang, the advocate of Tree Planting Day, thereby contributing to creating a green campus and the protection of our shared home.

Professor Ling Daoyang, one of the founders of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, was a renowned modern Chinese forestry expert, agronomist, educator, and soil and water conservation specialist. He advocated for the establishment of Tree Planting Day in China in 1915.

This Tree Planting Event was organized to honor the significant contributions of predecessors like Professor Ling Daoyang to China's forestry industry. It also aims to inspire students to contribute, albeit modestly, to mitigating climate change and promoting ecological balance, ensuring a greener and healthier living environment for current and future generations.

On Tree Planting Day, Professor Deng Siying, associate dean of United College of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, led faculty and students from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. Under the guidance of Professor Yuan Jiancong, Vice President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, they participated in the Tree Planting Event hosted by Ling College of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, alongside leaders from Shenzhen Baiwai Education Group.

The Ashoka tree chosen for this event is the same species that Professor Ling Daoyang planted on the campus of The Chinese University of Hong Kong in the past. Ling College hopes to honor and carry forward Professor Ling Daoyang’s spirit through this planting.

In his speech, Professor Wang Cong, associate vice president and master of Shaw College at CUHK-Shenzhen, highlighted the serene and green environment of the campus, which enhances the lives of students.

By planting trees on campus during Tree Planting Day, faculty and students not only bring vitality and life to the campus but also give back to nature and support important global issues such as environmental protection and ecological balance. The recent snowstorms in the North, freezing rain in Hubei, and increasingly common droughts, floods, and storms remind us of the urgent need for effective measures to combat climate change and protect our shared home.

Professor Wang Cong hopes that through this event, every participant can deeply understand the importance of environmental protection and integrate green concepts into their studies, lives, and work, contributing to the creation of a better world.

Professor LU Zongli, master of Ling College at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, explained the origins of China's Tree Planting Day during the event. He emphasized the significance of initiating tree planting activities on campus, as it allows faculty and students to pay tribute to forestry pioneers like Professor Ling Daoyang while raising awareness and enthusiasm for public welfare and environmental protection activities

In an interview, Professor LU Zongli stated that we must remember the source of our water. Given that 30 million residents of Hong Kong and Shenzhen rely on the Dong River, Ling College will organize The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and The Chinese University of Hong Kong students to travel to Xunwu County in Jiangxi, which has cooperative ties with Shenzhen, to carry out tree planting and other educational activities at the source of the Dong River. These efforts aim to support the socio-economic development of Xunwu.

Wu Kangdong, a student from Malaysia, also shared his upcoming "Ling College Zero-Waste Program" environmental public welfare initiative during the event. He expressed his deep appreciation for Professor Ling Daoyang's contributions to education, forestry, and environmental protection in China.

Growing up in a farming family in Malaysia, Wu experienced firsthand the impacts and challenges of environmental, marine, and climate pollution. He chose to study in Shenzhen and participate in numerous social practices and public welfare activities at the university, realizing the increasing severity of climate change, air pollution, water pollution, and waste issues. Wu believes that everyone’s actions are closely linked to nature, and we all have a responsibility to protect the land we live on. He hopes to establish a meaningful environmental model for society and the world, creating a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable environment.

During the event, Ling College, along with Minerva College and United College, launched the "Planting Green" project and the Green Public Welfare Study Camp project.

After the tree planting activities, faculty and student representatives visited the Daoyang Memorial Garden, where they laid flowers at the statue of Ling Daoyang, commemorating his outstanding contributions to Chinese forestry.