Newly-planted trees alongside the Yellow River in Jinan, Shandong province [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Rows of newly-planted white bark pines, cedars and other green plants are growing along both sides of the Yellow River in Jinan, Shandong province.

The trees were planted as part of an initiative by the local government to promote environmental protection around the river.

As an important city in the lower reaches of the Yellow River basin , Jinan has launched a plan to build a protective green belt to improve the environment of the Yellow River basin.

The plan involves planting new trees and replacing old plants with new varieties. It covers the city's districts of Huaiyin, Tianqiao, Licheng, and Jiyang, as well as Jinan Pioneer Area and Jinan Innovation Zone.

Officials said that in the first stage this year, the planting area in the silt area will stretch 22.33 kilometers and cover 181.53 hectares.