Photovoltaic panels in northwest China's Qinghai Province not only produce clean power, but also improve the local grassland and environment, while earning more money for herdsmen.
Claiming high intensity of solar radiation, long hours of sunshine, Qinghai is abundant in solar energy. And its dry climate makes it ideal to develop new energy industry.
These advantages have drawn a great number of photovoltaic panel manufacturing companies to set their plants in the province.
"We in Qinghai have around 100,000 square kilometers of land which could be put into the development of new energy. The total amount of solar radiation here probably could rank second in the country. These are unique advantages for us to develop new energy," said Wang Yiyang, Qinghai regional manager of Trinasolar, a global leader in in photovoltaic products, systems and smart energy.
Wang said by shielding barren lands from further attacks from wind and sand, solar panels help nurture the growth of grass to improve local environment. Yet as grass grows higher to reach the panels, electricity they generate might risk to ignite the grass to fire.
"The solar panels could shield the wind and sand. You can see that the grass under the solar panels is lusher than the grass elsewhere. Since the solar power industrial park was established, the vegetation coverage in Talatan (gobi) has reached 80 percent. Now you see the grass is almost as high as up to the solar panels," said Wang.
"So we asked the herdsmen to graze their animals at the photovoltaic power station. One thing is the herdsmen can help us petrol the power station. And the other thing is, they can guarantee that the grass will not grow too high to interfere with power generation. Now the local herdsmen are raising over 20,000 sheep in the park and we produce about 11.8 tons of pasture a year. This has completely solved some herdsmen’s problem of employment," said Wang.
Photovoltaic panels in Qinghai produce more than power
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.
During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.
China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.
Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.
China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.
On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.
Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.
Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.
On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation
