In the face of growing concerns for the planet's well-being, China Daily has embarked on a series of articles highlighting China's dedication to environmental protection.

In August 2022, an expedition team ventured into the forests of Guidong county, Hunan province. Their mission was to explore the natural habitat of Salvia, the largest genus within the mint family. Guided by Huang Cunzhong, an official from the local natural resources administration, the team entered Qiyunfeng National Forest Park.

Along the forest's edge, near a stream in a valley, the team encountered a unique Salvia population. This discovery led to the identification of a new Salvia species, which was subsequently reported in a botanical journal. The team consisted of engineers Huang Yanbo and Ge Binjie from the Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden and researcher Qi Zhechen from Zhejiang Sci-Tech University.