By CGTN's Ning Hong

Desertification is threatening the environment and regional economies. In north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, an experiment is being carried out in the Kubuqi desert to control desertification and even turn it green.

Zhao Rui, a local resident now works in solar power station. /CGTN Photo

Zhao Rui, a local resident near the desert, has a new job in a solar power station, cleaning sand off the solar panels and tending the licorice beneath.  

As one of the largest solar power stations in north China, it took two years to build it. The solar power station generates 500 million kilowatt-hours every year. Raising the incomes of local people is vital to the success.  And the environment is also benefiting.

Solar power station in the middle of Kubuqi Desert. /CGTN Photo

 According to Tian Junting, the power station's project manager, they have rented land from local people and then hired them for the construction and maintenance work. This has provided local residents like Zhao with an annual income of 48,000 yuan, over ten times what he made before.

Solar power station in the middle of Kubuqi Desert. /CGTN Photo

The desert economy in Kubuqi is part of the efforts by Elion Resources Group, a private company that has been trying to roll back desertification for the past 30 years.

Wang Wenbiao, Chairman of Elion Resources Group./CGTN Photo

Wang Wenbiao, the chairman of Elion, grew up near Kubuqi.  He recalled that despite many mistakes he had made, he believes that Elion has found a good model to combat desertification. Wang said the core is to balance the relationship between government, enterprises, farmers, and ecological environment. He said ecological management in the desert must be economical and respect nature and market rules.

Seven Star Lake Resort in the middle of Kubuqi Desert. /CGTN Photo

 The number of sand storms every year has reduced.

Various ways are being developed to improve efficiency and reduce cost, like reserving 40 days of water for a tree, or planting licorice that sells for 10 yuan per kilogram in the market. /CGTN Photo

The desert economy model in Kubuqi has turned 6,000 square kilometers of desert green, created 500 billion yuan in value and helped around 100,000 farmers out of poverty. Desertification affects over a fifth of China's territory and a third of its people. After years of efforts in legislation, policy, finance, mechanism and technology innovation, China has become one of the few countries in the world that has reduced the areas under such a threat.