China's western regions are accelerating the construction of new energy bases in barren, rocky areas and deserts to support the transition to low-carbon energy and boost green development.
The rapid development of large-scale wind and photovoltaic power facilities in these challenging environments is a critical strategic move for China as it seeks to promote a clean and low-carbon transformation of its energy sector.
Sandy areas, rocky areas, and deserts have fragile ecosystems, but they are rich in wind and solar energy resources, providing a natural advantage for the development of clean energy. The construction of new-energy bases can also fully leverage the land, solar, and wind resource advantages of the western region and transform them into economic benefits.
On the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, construction is in full swing for a 10-million-kilowatt hybrid power base that integrates wind, solar, coal, and storage facilities.
The power base is expected to provide 5 million kilowatts of reliable electricity to Sichuan and Chongqing during the peak hours once in operation.
"We have so far finished flattening 80 hectares of land at the designated sites. This year, we will further explore technological innovation in six aspects, including the integrated control of new energy bases and AI-aided power generation prediction," said Wang Liang, Ruoqiang site manager, Xinjiang Branch of China Three Gorges Corporation.
As a key focus of China's green energy transition during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, the construction of new-energy bases, particularly in sandy areas, rocky areas and deserts, made significant progress. The first batch of projects was accelerated to be completed by the end of 2024, while the second and third batches were accelerating construction.
As of the end of 2024, the first batch of bases had an installed capacity of 91.99 million kilowatts, accounting for approximately 95 percent of the total planned capacity for the first batch projects, with 90.79 million kilowatts already in operation.
"The planning and construction of new energy bases in the sandy areas, rocky areas and deserts has created a new path of coordinated development combining energy, ecology and economy. It is expected that by 2030, China's planned new energy installation capacity in these areas will exceed 300 million kilowatts," said Liu Qiang, the Director of the Electric Power Development Research Institute.
Construction of new-energy bases in western region picks up pace
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
