Farmers in Aksu, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, are turning a once barren desert into a thriving agricultural hub, harvesting apples and crabs to boost income and improve livelihood.
Known for its abundant sunshine and significant temperature variation between day and night, Aksu provides ideal growing conditions for its famed apples.
These apples are not only large and beautifully colored, but they also feature a distinct "crystal heart"- a result of the region's unique natural advantages.
Beyond natural conditions, Aksu's apple production also benefits from careful management.
The region has adopted an innovative way of inhibiting wind and fixing sand by planting trees to shield apple trees from harsh conditions.
Today, the once barren land is returning the favor.
This year alone, Aksu's orchard industry is expected to generate 19.2 billion yuan (nearly 2.65 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue.
It's not just apples that are thriving in the region.
Along the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, China's largest desert, aquatic products from the foot of the Tianshan Mountains are also gaining popularity.
A species of crab from Huzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, is introduced to the region.
Initially, there were doubts about whether crabs could survive in Xinjiang's saline soil.
"Before, we raised fish, but we never even considered crabs. We thought they would be hard to farm, especially since it's a new species, and we weren't sure if they could survive. So, we just took a 'let's give it a try' attitude," said Xu Zhongsu, chairman of a farmers' cooperative in Aksu.
But the area's climate, water sources and saline environment proved to be perfect for the crabs' growth, leading to crabs not only thriving but growing larger than expected.
This success has bolstered local confidence.
As sales begin this year, farmers are seeing tangible returns.
"We didn't expect them to grow so well. Now we're starting sales, which means people can earn money from crab farming. This boosts confidence for next year, and we plan to expand our base, allowing local villagers to increase their income," said Wang Jia, a sales rep of the crabs.
Xinjiang farmers turn desert into thriving farmland, boosting income
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
