Dazhong Daily:

I have noticed that last year, a project was completed to entirely encircle the Taklimakan Desert with a sand-blocking green belt. May I ask what achievements has Xinjiang made in recent years in preventing desertification and sandification? What are the focuses of your future efforts in ecological protection and governance? Thank you.

Erkin Tuniyaz:

Thank you for your questions. I will answer them. As everyone knows, Xinjiang covers an area of 1,664,900 square kilometers, or about one-sixth of China's total territory. It is also one of the provincial-level regions with the largest and most widely distributed area of land most severely affected by desertification and sandification. The Taklimakan Desert is an area frequently hit by intense wind and sand activities and even severe sandstorms. The harsher the conditions, the stronger the people's aspiration for a sound ecological environment. We have made decisive progress in the critical battle against desertification on the fringes of the Taklimakan Desert, completing the last 285 kilometers of the sand-blocking green belt encircling the desert in 2024. With the final stretch completed in Hotan prefecture, we have built a strong ecological barrier for people living on the edge of the desert. During an inspection tour in Hotan, I heard some local people, especially women, say they will no longer have sand-laden wind blowing into their beautiful faces. Finally, people's aspirations for a better life have been fulfilled.

The achievements of ecological governance in Xinjiang in recent years have been witnessed by all. They are mainly reflected in "dual decreases," "dual improvements," "dual growths," and "dual promotions." First, both the desertified and sandy land areas have decreased. According to the sixth national survey of desertification and sandification, the desertified land area in Xinjiang decreased by 1,955.7 square kilometers, and the sandy land area decreased by 242.8 square kilometers, marking the first turning point from an increase to a decrease in sandy area. Second, both sand control and water management have improved to spur agricultural development. The region has coordinated a four-pronged approach involving water saving, water storage, water diversion, and development of new water resources, realizing rational allocation and use of its water resources. In 2024, the irrigation water volume of forest shelterbelts in southern Xinjiang reached 2.76 billion cubic meters, and over 2 billion cubic meters of water from the Tarim River was diverted to replenish the water supply of the populus euphratica forests. As a result, a total of 150,000 mu (10,000 hectares) of degraded forest shelterbelts and 3.2 million mu of populus euphratica forests have been effectively repaired. Third, the areas of both natural oasis and artificial oasis have increased. Over the past three decades, Xinjiang's total oasis area has expanded from 99,000 square kilometers to 155,000 square kilometers, an increase of 56.6%. The forest coverage rate increased from 4.24% in 2012 to 5.07% in 2024. Fourth, we have effectively controlled wind and sand damages around the deserts in southern Xinjiang, promoting both ecological and economic benefits. With equal focus on ecological benefits and social benefits, we planted suitable economic crops in the deserts, such as Cistanche tubulosa and red dates, which have begun to produce economic returns. These efforts have achieved good results in both preventing desertification and increasing people's income.

Ecological and environmental protection has brought tangible benefits to the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang. This year marks the 20th anniversary of General Secretary Xi Jinping's proposal of the "two mountains" concept. We will remain committed to the principle that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, supporting high-quality development with a high-quality ecological environment. I think our future efforts will focus on three aspects:

First, we will apply systems thinking. We will strengthen air pollution control in cities on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains, including Urumqi, Changji, Shihezi and Wujiaqu, and carry out actions to prevent soil pollution at the source, amid our efforts to enhance environmental protection. Second, we will adopt comprehensive measures. We will consolidate and expand the achievements of desertification control, and increase support for ecological water use, ecological restoration, and photovoltaic project deployment to step up the battle against desertification on the fringes of the Taklimakan Desert. We will advance major projects for biodiversity conservation, leaving a more diverse ecosystem for future generations. Third, we will pursue progress while ensuring stability. We will make technological breakthroughs in the development of renewable energy, clean and efficient coal utilization, green hydrogen, and new energy storage. We will also support the application of advanced technologies in low-carbon petrochemicals, the modern coal chemical industry, and low-carbon iron and steel sector. We are striving to explore a path of energy conservation and carbon reduction that suits local conditions, and make green development the foundation of our high-quality development.

That's all for my answer. Thank you.