China leads the global fight against desertification with groundbreaking achievements

China has become the world’s first country to achieve zero growth in land degradation and now stands as the largest global contributor to afforestation, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA).

Over the past four decades, the nation has successfully restored approximately 4.33 million hectares of desertified land, marking a transformative shift in its environmental landscape.

As reported by CCTV+, a partner of TV BRICS, the officials credited these advancements to large-scale initiatives such as China's Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Programme. This afforestation project, often referred to as the “Green Great Wall,” aims to establish a robust ecological barrier across northern China, combating the dual challenges of desertification and soil erosion.

To date, 287 high-priority afforestation projects have been executed, rehabilitating 57 million mu (roughly 3.8 million hectares) of degraded land this year alone.

According to the source, the country’s leadership in afforestation not only transforms its landscapes but also contributes to global ecological health, highlighting the importance of long-term investment in environmental sustainability.

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