China launched TSFP in 1978 with an ambition to tackle desertification in the northwestern, northern and northeastern parts of the country in about 70 years. The world's largest afforestation program is still underway.
A critical bottleneck for the massive TSFP "Green Great Wall" project was fragmented regional action. "Sand dunes don't stop at borders," stressed Sun Guo, a forestry official in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, highlighting gaps between administrative lines. In October 2023, Xi's leadership spurred five regions, including Ningxia and Inner Mongolia, to sign a joint agreement, enabling coordinated action across borders.
China is also fortifying its legal defences. April saw the draft of the country's first comprehensive environmental code enter the legislative process.
"It elevates rivers, lakes, and deserts as key ecological elements, signalling protection on equal footing with other ecosystems," noted Wang Jin, a law professor at Peking University.
Xi consistently lauds the grit of those battling the elements on the TSFP frontline. During a 2023 inspection tour, he urged workers to "work with courage, determination and perseverance to create new miracles." From Gansu's Babusha to Inner Mongolia's Xinhua, Xi expresses heartfelt gratitude to these frontline workers during his multiple visits to forest farms.
"The international community should work together to strengthen cooperation on desertification control and advance global environmental governance," Xi urged in a congratulatory letter to the 7th Kubuqi International Desert Forum held in Inner Mongolia in 2019.
China's actions match these words -- In Egypt, hundreds of Chinese-drilled wells now turn sandy areas into farmland, supporting desert reclamation. China has supplied drought-resistant saplings to Mongolia's "Billion Trees" campaign. Africa's own "Great Green Wall" plan inspired by the TSFP also gained support from China.
As World Bank official Valerie Hickey said, China offers a "beacon of hope" and a "roadmap" for success against desertification.
Xi affirms: "China will take a more active role in global desertification control, support sand prevention and control efforts in Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, and promote policy dialogue and information sharing among nations."