When China's afforestation hero Yin Yuzhen and her friend from the United States Ronald Sakolsky spoke over the phone recently, people from all over the country expressed the hope that they would meet again in person soon. Now that wish is set to come true.

When China Daily met up with Yin for an interview on Tuesday in Beijing, the 60-year-old, her dark black braid reaching her waist just like it did in many of her old photos, revealed that she would meet her old friend and tree-planting benefactor this summer.

Sakolsky also confirmed the appointment when contacted on Tuesday night.

During his time here, he plans to visit the "forest miracle" he helped create years ago in Maowusu, in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

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Maowusu is China's fourth-largest sandy stretch, covering a vast area spread across Shaanxi province and the Inner Mongolia and Ningxia Hui autonomous regions.

On his trip to China, Sakolsky also plans to visit Luoyang, Henan province, where he taught English in 1999 and 2000. It was there that he first heard about Yin's efforts — planting trees to reclaim land that was being overtaken by the desert.

He set out to raise money to support the project and procured a $5,000 donation to help Yin buy saplings. Those saplings have now grown into trees that carpet the once barren area in green. It is a gift that Yin said she will never forget.

"When Sakolsky comes here, I will make noodles for him, representing both a long life and our long friendship," she said with a broad smile. "I will also treat him to our specialty food such as lamb skewers and millet porridge."

She also promised to give him a pair of insoles that she embroidered.

Yin is a national model worker who is widely acclaimed as one of China's afforestation heroes.

"No matter which country you are from, when you visit Maowusu it means you love nature and the Earth. We can unite with other people through our common dreams," Yin said.

She added that she remembered all the people who helped her. "They have moved me not just for a short time, but for a lifetime."

Yin was in Beijing on her way to Tallberg in Sweden, where she has been invited to participate in an international forum from Wednesday to Sunday.

According to the invitation, Yin's efforts have resulted in more than 300,000 trees being planted across 4,000 hectares, a feat that has earned her respect and recognition around the world.

"Over the past 35 years, you have worked with an indomitable spirit to transform desert areas into thriving oases," the invitation said.

Yin has been invited to "share her experience in sustainable development, to foster constructive dialogue, and to explore potential pathways for future collaboration".

"I want to talk about desert greening, protecting the Earth, the soil and the water," she said.

For Sakolsky, now 69 and a retired high school teacher in Pennsylvania, his stint in China had a profound impact on him. "The Chinese taught me to appreciate the simple things in life. It is about how much empathy and kindness you can share, as well as respect," he said.

On May 20, Inner Mongolia's people's association for friendship with foreign countries officially invited Sakolsky to "witness the growth of young saplings into dense forests".

Since 1959, China has established a desert scientific expedition team. Through continuous exploration, the country has successfully transformed the appearance of large sandy stretches, while also providing the world with access to its desertification control approach.

Yuan Hui contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at duanjinxian@chinadaily.com.cn