China's 53% of desertified land is under control

China achieves the world's first "zero growth" in land degradation and a "dual reduction" in desertified and sandified land, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration announced at a news conference on Monday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Fifty-three percent of China's treatable desertified land has been managed, achieving the world's first "zero growth" in land degradation and a "dual reduction" in desertified and sand-covered land, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration announced on Monday.

Huang Caiyi, director of the desertification control department, said at a news conference that China has entered a virtuous cycle of ecological protection and livelihood improvement, becoming the largest contributor to global greening.

The economic, social, and ecological landscapes in desertified areas have undergone significant changes, successfully pioneering a desertification control path with Chinese characteristics, he said.

This year marks the first anniversary of the Three-North Shelterbelt Project's critical phase and the 30th anniversary of China's signing of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

"Desertification is a common challenge faced by humanity, and combating it is a long-term and arduous task. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration will actively carry out desertification control work centered on the Three-North Shelterbelt Project, earnestly fulfill the UNCCD, and strive to create new miracles in desertification control in the new era, contributing China's strength to global desertification management," Huang said.

Huang added that the Three-North Shelterbelt Project has been awarded the Global 500 Roll of Honour for Environmental Achievement medal by the United Nations Environment Programme. The UNCCD Secretariat has twice awarded China's "outstanding contribution to combating desertification".