In the heart of northwest China, something amazing is happening! 🌟 The arid sands of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region are turning into lush greens, and it's all thanks to a massive mission to combat desertification. Imagine transforming deserts into oases—sounds like something out of a movie, right? 🎬 But it's real, and it's happening now!
At an international conference in Riyadh, the Ningxia model was showcased, wowing experts from around the world. Valerie Hickey from the World Bank called it a shining example of how creating livable environments can lift people out of poverty. Talk about leveling up! 🆙
But that's just the beginning. This transformation is a snapshot of China's bigger journey toward ecological balance and sustainable development. President Xi Jinping has been all over northwest China this year, emphasizing the need to protect the environment and preserve biodiversity. He's like China's Captain Planet! 🌍💪
Saving the Mother River 🌊
Let's talk about the Yellow River, aka China's Mother River. She's been flowing for centuries, supporting millions of people by irrigating farmlands and producing grain. But she's had her fair share of struggles with ecological fragility—think loose soil and low vegetation. Not cool!
Good news is, since 1999, the Yellow River hasn't stopped flowing, thanks to better water management. And with the new Yellow River Protection Law that kicked in earlier this year, efforts to tackle water shortages and flooding are in full swing. When President Xi visited the river in September, he stressed that \"lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.\" Couldn't agree more! 💧🌄
Biodiversity Boost 🌱
In June, President Xi visited Qinghai Province on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau—home to the source of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lancang rivers. This place is like the start button for some of Asia's most important waterways! 🏞️
Thanks to conservation efforts, the Sanjiangyuan area, nicknamed \"the water tower of China,\" is thriving. Water bodies and wetlands have grown, and water conservation is up by over 6%. Wildlife is making a comeback too! Tibetan antelopes have bounced back from endangered status, going from less than 20,000 in the '80s to over 70,000 today. Give it up for the antelopes! 🎉🦌
Qinghai is taking big steps to protect the environment, designating hundreds of thousands of square kilometers as ecological protection zones. And it's not just Qinghai; China's all about creating national parks, expanding nature reserves, and restoring everything from forests to deserts.
Did you know China has nearly 10,000 nature reserves now? That's about 18% of the country's land area! Not to mention, they've seen the largest growth in forest resources worldwide. Talk about going green! 🌳💚
So why does this matter to us? Because protecting the environment isn't just a local issue—it's global. And seeing massive strides like this can inspire us all to take better care of our own backyards. Let's keep cheering on efforts like these and maybe start some of our own! 🌎✨
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
