Taipei, March 12 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian attended a tree-planting activity held by the Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture (COA) on the campus of National Chengchi University (NCU) Tuesday to mark annual Arbor Day.
The government designated March 12--the date of Dr. Sun Yat-sen's death--as Arbor Day four years after his death in 1925 in remembrance of the national founding father's encouragement of reforestation efforts.
Chen, in the company of COA Chairman Fan Chen-tsung and NCU president Cheng Jui-cheng, planted two seedlings of trees indigenous to Taiwan, to mark the special day.
COA authorities had prepared a great number of seedlings of many indigenous plants for government officials and the general public to plant during the special day.
COA officials voiced the hope that the tree-planting activity will help stimulate reforestation efforts, in addition to commemorating the 77th anniversary of Sun's death.