China sees fewer spring sandstorms after decades of anti-desertification efforts

China has recorded fewer and weaker spring sandstorms over the past two decades, after decades of efforts to curb desertification, official data released on Sunday showed.

The average number of spring sandstorms, a recurring weather hazard across northern China particularly between March and May, fell from 12.5 times a year two decades ago to 9.6 times in recent years, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, which released the data to mark the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms.

The decline is closely linked to years of ecological restoration efforts, including the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, an afforestation initiative launched in 1978 to curb desertification and improve the ecological environment in northern China.

Under the program, a total of 32 million hectares of forests have been planted and preserved, and 85.3 million hectares of degraded grasslands have been restored. In regions covered by the program, the forest coverage ratio has risen from 5.05 percent in 1978 to 13.84 percent today.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China rehabilitated 10.1 million hectares of sandy land. This year alone, the central government has allocated 27.7 billion yuan (about 4.07 billion U.S. dollars) to support 328 restoration projects covering more than 6.3 million hectares.

Data showed that the area of sandy land, which had expanded by an average of 343,333 hectares annually at the end of the last century, is now decreasing by an average of around 666,667 hectares a year. Wind erosion across China's eight major deserts and four major sandy lands has declined by about 40 percent since 2000.

China has also stepped up cooperation with other countries through training programs, technology exchanges and joint projects, sharing its experience in combating desertification and mitigating sand and dust hazards.

The United Nations General Assembly designated July 12 as the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms in 2023, and proclaimed 2025-2034 as the "United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms" one year later.

China sees fewer spring sandstorms after decades of anti-desertification efforts

Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized advancing agricultural modernization and ensuring food security when making investigation in northeast China's Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces from Monday to Wednesday.

In Heilongjiang Province, Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visited a state farm and observed the growth of soybean, corn, and rice crops. He stressed that autumn grain accounts for the bulk of annual output, calling for stepped-up farmland management and policy support to ensure grain harvest.

Visiting an agricultural science park and a rice research institute, Li asked about seed breeding innovation and black soil conservation, highlighting the importance of science and technology in pursuing higher yields and calling for further efforts in seed breeding, advanced machinery, and smart farming.

At a major water conservancy project, Li reviewed construction progress, urging faster completion to improve flood control, irrigation, and ecological benefits while supporting stable, high-yield harvests.

In Jilin Province, Li visited an agricultural cooperative and learned about its operations. He called for developing diverse forms of appropriately scaled agricultural operations and improving services for agriculture to help smallholders connect with modern agriculture.

At a grain processing plant, Li inspected a corn oil production line and called for boosting intensive processing of agricultural products to extend industrial chains and raise value.

Li also visited the Chagan Lake and learned about the ecological fisheries. He called for actively developing modern eco-aquaculture, promoting integrated development of the farming, forestry, livestock, and fishing industries as well as the development of eco-tourism.

Chinese premier stresses agricultural modernization, food security