Rare cliff cypress given new lease of life

Seed breeding program enables ancient tree to thrive in Chongqing nature reserve

Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world.

High in the cliffs of the Daba Mountains in Southwest China, a 200-million-year-old tree species once thought vanished from the planet is orchestrating one of the most remarkable ecological comebacks in botanical history.