Over the past five years, Awati County in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has undergone a remarkable ecological transformation, with its once-arid Aximan area changing into a lush wetland teeming with waterfowl and greenery.
Situated at the junction of the Aksu River alluvial fan and the Taklimakan Desert, once known as the "sea of death", Aximan had long suffered from severe desertification.
As a vital part of the headwater region of the Tarim River, China's longest inland river, the area plays a crucial role in the region's ecology.
In 2020, authorities in Xinjiang launched a major conservation and restoration initiative to rehabilitate the ecosystem.
Through a comprehensive strategy featuring urban wastewater recycling, widespread use of drip irrigation, and large-scale forest planting, about 52,500 hectares of land have been rehabilitated with forest coverage surging tenfold from just 4.5 percent to 45 percent.
Today, Aximan has evolved into a thriving wetland ecosystem that is home to abundant vegetation and clear waters, attracting flocks of migratory birds and providing habitat for over 200 wild animal species.
Ecological conservation project turns barren desert into lush wetland in Xinjiang
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday called on China and Indonesia to strengthen all-round cooperation and pool greater development synergy to jointly tackle risks and challenges.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while co-chairing the first Conference of China-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue Mechanism with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono in Jakarta.
Noting that the current international situation is marked by growing turbulence and uncertainty, with unilateralism and hegemonic practices seriously impacting global security and development, Wang said it is timely for China and Indonesia, as major developing countries, to strengthen strategic communication and deepen strategic cooperation, which carries important and far-reaching significance beyond bilateral relations.
Wang said China has always placed Indonesia in an important position in its diplomacy, particularly its neighborhood diplomacy, and is ready to work with Indonesia to enhance mutual understanding and support.
Stressing that the conference marks an important milestone in bilateral relations, Sugiono said China's development has brought enormous opportunities to the world, particularly neighboring countries such as Indonesia.
He said Indonesia and China share closely intertwined interests and stressed the importance of strengthening coordination with China for mutual benefit as Indonesia advances its development strategies.
Sugiono added that Indonesia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and supports China's cause of reunification.
The two sides also agreed to uphold strategic autonomy and firmly support each other's core interests. They also decided to launch the formulation of the China-Indonesia Five-year Action Plan (2027-2031).
Both sides agreed that deepening cooperation in energy and mineral resources serves their common interests, and expressed readiness to jointly build a comprehensive, open and green partnership in energy and mineral resources.
Indonesia spoke highly of the contributions made by Chinese companies to local development, noting that the success of Chinese companies is also a success for Indonesia. It expressed readiness to provide Chinese companies with a fair, transparent and friendly business environment.
The two sides also pledged to expand cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence and poverty reduction. They agreed to restart cooperation in fishing, accelerate maritime cooperation and push forward joint development.
They agreed to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and work toward the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
Both sides agreed to hold the second meeting of the dialogue mechanism in China next year.
Chinese FM calls for stronger all-round cooperation with Indonesia to tackle risks, challenges
