China has some of the largest and most aggressive deserts in the world. Thanks to decades of unremitting efforts, the area of desert in China has shrunk by nearly 2,000 square kilometers every year.

"China has been in the forefront in the effort of anti-desertification," said Dr Pradeep Monga, PhD, deputy executive secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) at a seminar in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, on Monday. He also mentioned that China is one of the few countries that have drafted a national law on anti-desertification. It is "a commitment of the national level," he said.

In 2018, the UN gave the Champions of Earth Award to Saihanba Afforestation Community for building the largest man-made forest in the world.

In Kubuqi Desert, an ecological economy is taking shape in the desert.

"The central government has given inclusive support to local governments, private companies and the general public in their anti-desertification effort. Such measures have greatly inspired all parties," said Hu Peixing, deputy director of the Desertification Control Department in the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA).

More social organizations have joined in to help China build the ecological civilization.

While China has invested massive efforts to harness desertification and has made sound achievements, desertification is not limited to a country or region. It also involves a series of social and economic issues. Therefore, it's a teamwork the world over.

"China's progress in this area can be very helpful for other countries,"said Monga. It can be an asset "for South-South cooperation.”

Nearly a quarter of China's land is covered by forest. The anti-desertification helps lift 70 million people out of poverty.

According to the NFGA, being a contracting party, China will fulfill its obligations to work with other countries and provide training and necessary support for research.