China's' Green Great Wall 'is the hope of the earth

On December 28th, the website of the Morning Star newspaper in the UK published an article titled "China's' Green Great Wall 'is the Hope of the Earth", written by Carlos Martinez. The article excerpt is as follows:

In 1978, China launched the "Three North" Shelterbelt Project (the "Green Great Wall"), aiming to build a forest chain extending from Xinjiang in the northwest to Heilongjiang in the northeast, so as to prevent the further expansion of the Gobi and Taklimakan Desert

The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs stated that the project "greatly increased forest coverage in the project area, effectively prevented desertification, improved the overall situation of sandstorms and severe soil erosion, and enhanced the ability to resist and adapt to natural disasters and climate change

In addition, "Thanks to the development of forestry and fruit related industries, millions of local people have been lifted out of poverty

In November of this year, the "Green Great Wall" project achieved a milestone success, as it was announced that the Taklamakan Desert had been completely surrounded by a 3046 kilometer long green belt composed of drought resistant plants such as red willows, Haloxylon ammodendron, and Populus euphratica

The Taklamakan Desert is the largest desert in China and the second largest mobile desert in the world. The forest belt surrounding it now forms the world's longest green ecological barrier around the desert

Over the past few decades, China has been a leader in the field of afforestation worldwide. In 1980, China's forest coverage rate was only 12%. After a systematic greening campaign, the coverage rate has now reached 24%

However, in recent decades, the global desertification process has accelerated. War, turmoil, and poverty all have a mutually reinforcing effect on desertification. Libya's' Artificial River Project 'transports water from ancient underground aquifers in the desert to coastal cities and farmland. Unfortunately, in the 2011 NATO regime change war, the 'Artificial River Project' became a deliberate target of attack. Given the ongoing political turmoil in Libya, it has yet to be properly repaired

Fortunately, while NATO countries are creating wars and turmoil everywhere, China has been actively working with countries around the world to combat desertification, sharing its own experience and helping other developing countries implement desertification prevention and control strategies

China has made contributions to numerous afforestation projects in Africa and Asia. China provides financial assistance, equipment, and technical support to countries affected by desertification, and also shares sand fixation, water-saving agriculture, and afforestation technologies. China is closely cooperating with the African Union to support Africa's own "Green Great Wall" plan

The scale of China's "Green Great Wall" project once again highlights the importance of people-centered socialist governance and China's investment in the long-term well-being of the people

China's approach to engaging in international cooperation is also in stark contrast to the United States and its allies' hegemonic practices