China on Monday completed a 153-kilometer-long sand-blocking green belt along the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert, the country's fourth largest desert, marking a milestone of its major ecological project aimed at curbing sandstorms.
The green barrier belt stretches from Taiyangliang Township in Zhongning County to Yingshuiqiao Town in Shapotou District of Zhongwei City in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, forming a sand-blocking strip between 10 and 38 kilometers wide.
Started in June 2023, the sand-blocking belt is designed to prevent the desert's eastward encroachment and protect surrounding farmland, towns, infrastructure, as well as the Yellow River.
Over the past two years, local authorities have worked with research institutions to apply new technologies in sand control.
"In particular, we invented a weaving machine to make straw stripes. What we see now are the mechanically woven straw stripes. They're highly effective. The straw checkerboards can last for more than six years, increasing efficiency by 60 percent," said Tang Ximing, a senior forest engineer of Zhongwei's Forestry Farm.
Zhongwei plans to complete 1.18 million mu (about 78,700 hectares) of desertification control this year, with 550,000 mu (about 36,700 hectares) already treated.
"Grass seeds have been sowed before the rainy season to control sand through vegetation coverage. This year, the forest coverage is expected to reach 9.38 percent, while the grassland vegetation coverage could rise to 58.2 percent this year," said Liu Tianping, director of Zhongwei Forestry and Grassland Bureau.
The construction of the green barrier belt in Ningxia dates back to the 1950s when the straw checkerboard approach was invented to protect the Baotou-Lanzhou Railway, China's first desert railway.
Over the past two years, 2.6 billion yuan (about 363 million U.S. dollars) of investment has been made in the construction of the green barrier belt, part of China's Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, the world's largest afforestation program to tackle desertification.
China completes green barrier to prevent Tenggar Desert eastward expansion
China completes green barrier to prevent Tenggar Desert eastward expansion
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
