SHIJIAZHUANG - North China's Hebei Province will plant more than 10 million mu (about 682,000 hectares) of trees in counties neighboring Beijing in the coming 10 years in an effort to fend off sand and conserve water resources for the drought-prone capital.

The green belt would cover 14 counties in Hebei, vice governor Zhao Yong said Monday.

Beijing frequently encounters strong winds and sandy weather, though increased forestation over the years has helped reduce sand storms.

Zhao said at least 1 million mu of trees should be planted by the end of the year in Hebei, which is also the major water source for Beijing.

By 2020, forest coverage in the 14 counties would increase to 49.5 percent from the current level of 35 percent, Zhao said.