Efforts to combat desertification in the Taklamakan Desert, located in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, are yielding remarkable results, as local authorities deploy innovative methods to build sand stabilization barriers.
In Pishan and Yecheng counties, multiple initiatives are transforming arid lands into productive and sustainable zones, addressing both environmental and economic challenges.
High-standing sand fences are being erected along a 32.85-kilometer stretch of the desert edge. These barriers, standing 1.2 meters high, are made from water reed grass mats fixed onto pre-installed wooden stakes.
The stakes are treated with asphalt to prevent underground alkalinity damage, ensuring durability. These barriers effectively slow wind speeds, reduce sand movement and shield plants and critical infrastructure such as railways.
Checkerboard sand barriers, spanning 4.3 million square meters in Yecheng County, serve as an additional layer of protection. Constructed manually, each grid of the barrier is meticulously assembled using reeds that are firmly embedded into the sand. These grids not only stabilize the desert surface but also effectively decelerate the shifting of sand dunes.
The grass grids last four to five years where afforestation efforts and economic vegetation cultivation take root.
The sand barriers of Yecheng are part of a three-tier defense strategy. The first line consists of grass grids, 24 kilometers long and 180 meters wide, as initial barriers. The second line involves building areas for desert sightseeing and photovoltaic bases, and planting drought-resistant trees such as Populus Euphratica and desert dates, which not only stabilize the sand but also yield income-generating products. The third line is dense forest belts that shield nearby oases and communities. These efforts have resulted in significant economic benefits.
The cultivation of drought-resistant plants has created 820,000 mu (approximately 54,667 hectares) of orchards composed of cash crops such as walnuts and pomegranates, and these crops are major contributors to local incomes and exports.
Photovoltaic installations are planned to generate clean energy while further stabilizing the desert. Additionally, the projects have also created job opportunities for residents of nearby towns.
Xinjiang builds sand fences to hold back desertification, boost local economy
Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year message on Tuesday inspired people across China, with many saying achievements of the past year mentioned by Xi encouraged them to do better in 2025.
Delivering the message on New Year's eve, Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, reviewed China's journey in the past year, saying the country and its people "have experienced winds and rains and seen rainbows," and the touching and unforgettable moments are like still frames showing how extraordinary a year China has had.
"President Xi said that the most important job is to ensure a happy life for the people. We now have medical insurance for hospital visits, and the education for our children is free. We also run a homestay business, and our income has increased every year. We have full confidence in the future, and people of all ethnic groups will remain closely united like the seeds of a pomegranate to create a better life together," said a villager in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Xi mentioned China's grain production in his speech, which encouraged a farmer in central China's Henan Province.
"I was greatly encouraged by President Xi's message, which said our country's grain production surpassed 700 million tons in 2024, and 'China's bowls are now filled with more Chinese grain.' We grain farmers are full of confidence, and we must work harder and stay focused, make good use of modern agricultural technology to improve grain output and quality," said grain farmer Cui Meihong.
Xi also spoke highly of Chinese athletes, saying their performance at the Paris Olympics fully demonstrated the vigor and confidence of young Chinese.
"President Xi mentioned us athletes forging ahead in his New Year message. In 2025, I will keep pushing myself to achieve more, show the morale and sharpness of Chinese youth in the new era, show the open, inclusive, high-spirited and enterprising image of our country in the new era, and inspire more people to strive for their dreams with my sportsmanship," said Chinese shooter Sheng Lihao, who won two gold medals at the Paris Olympics.
In the past year, China fostered new quality productive forces in light of actual conditions, Xi said in his speech.
For the first time, China produced more than 10 million new energy vehicles in a year, and breakthroughs were made in integrated circuit, artificial intelligence, quantum communications and many other fields, Xi said.
He also mentioned the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, a mega cross-sea passage in south China that features two bridges, two artificial islands, and an underwater tunnel.
"General Secretary Xi mentioned the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link in the New Year message. Since it opened to traffic six months ago, more than 15 million car trips have been made on it. We will manage and utilize the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link well, and provide better transport service for the cause of building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area into a strategic pivot of the new development pattern, a demonstration site for high-quality development, and a leading site for Chinese modernization," said Yang Yang, deputy director of the management center of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link.
"As a worker in the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry, I am extremely proud of the rapid development of China's NEV sector. Technologies such as automated robots, 5G communications and digital twins have greatly improved our work efficiency, and I will continue to work with passion in 2025 to build better cars for our customers and create greater value for society," said autoworker Wang Yun.
"China's achievements in integrated circuit, artificial intelligence and quantum communications mentioned by President Xi have greatly encouraged us. We will strive courageously to promote the miniaturization and chip-based development of quantum communications, and contribute more of our wisdom and power to building China's strength in science and technology," said Tang Shibiao, head of the Anhui Quantum Computing Engineering Research Center.
People encouraged by China's achievements in past year after Xi's 2025 New Year message
