Politics
20:05, 29-Jul-2017
President Xi congratulates 6th Kubuqi International Desert Forum
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Chinese President Xi Jinping praised China's achievements in fighting desertification and sent a congratulatory message to the 6th Kubuqi International Desert Forum, which kicked off Saturday in the Kubuqi Desert in northern China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
President Xi pointed out severe challenges lie ahead as the world is fighting against desertification as a worldwide problem.
He noted that China highly values the issue and has made remarkable progress in the once barren Kubuqi Desert, which has gradually prospered into developing its green space and economy.
Kubuqi is the seventh largest desert in China, covering an area of 18,600 square kilometers and it was once the source of frequent sandstorms in Beijing.
But efforts over the decades have turned over 6,000 square kilometers of the desert into green space. A staggering 102,000 people have been lifted out of poverty as well.
In September, China will host a United Nations meeting on fighting desertification in Inner Mongolia, where a road-map is expected to be drafted, outlining aims and plans on how to end desert expansion by 2030.
(With input from Xinhua)
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