Friendship Forest near Ming Tombs was designed in 1984, following a suggestion by some foreign residents in Beijing that they should plant trees as a sign of friendship as a contribution to China’s nation-wide afforestation drive. It covers an area of 133 hectares (332. 5 acres). Up to 1992, more than 5,000 foreigners, including diplomats, experts, students and businessmen had planted pines and cypresses there. Mr. Yuan Xiaoyuan, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference who returned from the United States in 1985 donated 20,000 yuan for the Friendship Forest. Friendship Forest was completed in 1988.
