BEIJING -- A total of 150 Chinese ministerial officials planted trees in Beijing on Saturday morning to help boost awareness of environmental protection.

Organized by the National Afforestation Committee, the activity was held in Tongzhou district, on the eastern outskirts of Beijing, with more than 1,400 trees planted.

Saturday's tree-planting has highlighted the fight against bureaucracy and extravagance with no welcome banners or ceremonies arranged, according to the organizer.

Tree-planting by ministerial officials began in 2002. More than 31,500 trees have been planted in the past 15 years.