China Daily:

We know that the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program is a major national strategy that has significantly contributed to economic development, environmental protection and the improvement of people's livelihoods. How are the forestry and grassland departments advancing the high-quality development of this program in the new era? Thank you.

Yan Zhen: 

Thank you for your question. As you may be aware, the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program represents the largest ecological project in the world to date. Decades of relentless effort have not only created a "Green Great Wall" across our northern regions but also cultivated the "Three-North Spirit." It is fair to say that this project serves as a global model for ecological governance.

On June 6 last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping made a clarion call to the entire Party to intensify efforts on the program. In response, our department, in collaboration with other relevant departments — particularly with robust support from the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Finance, and with the active involvement of local governments and communities in desert areas — has strengthened overall planning and vigorously engaged in advancing the high-quality development of the project.

Adopting a systematic approach and focusing on seven major wind erosion zones, 34 sandstorm-prone areas, and three primary dust storm paths in the "three-north " region, we have promoted integrated protection and systematic management of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands and deserts. We emphasize scientific principles, ensuring greenery based on water availability, and combining trees, shrubs and grasses. We are making great efforts to optimize land use, water allocation and seedling resources, as Mr. Liu mentioned in his introduction. Additionally, we have increased the promotion of practical technologies and the application of mechanical equipment. We are also fostering institutional innovation, scientifically and orderly advancing the photovoltaic industry in desert areas, rationally developing feed and economic forest industries, while implementing work-relief programs to enable local residents to participate in the "three-north" program on their doorstep. We have fully launched three landmark campaigns under the "three-north" program since August last year. The campaign for the "U-shaped bend " of the Yellow River focuses on addressing ecological issues such as water disasters, sand hazards and salinization, and reducing the sediment load in the Yellow River. We have initiated 95 key projects in the Mu Us Desert, Kubuqi Desert, Ulan Buh Desert and their edges, aiming to restore a lush and beautiful landscape. Ordos has adopted the "new energy plus" model, planning and laying out a "100-mile photovoltaic belt" along the northern edge of the Kubuqi Desert and the southern area of the Yellow River. The campaign against desertification in the Horqin and Hunshandake sandy lands focuses on addressing the source of sandstorms that affect the Beijing-Tianjin region. We have launched 41 key projects to manage desertified land, restore degraded grasslands, and protect and restore rivers and wetlands, thus building an ecological barrier for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. Liaoning and Inner Mongolia are working together to establish a "1,000-mile sand prevention belt" along the southern edge of the Horqin sandy land. In the Hexi Corridor and the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, 71 key projects have been initiated in major sandstorm-prone areas, areas of drifting sand invasion, and oasis protection gaps to ensure the ecological security of oases. For example, Qinghai province has established 12 barrier points to prevent sand at the desert edges and sources in the Qaidam Basin, Gonghe Basin and Qinghai Lake Basin. In the Aksu region of Xinjiang, the development of forest and grass industries, including walnut, apple and jujube cultivation, has increased the per capita income of local residents by more than 1,000 yuan. With efforts from various parties, the "three-north" program has completed comprehensive management tasks across more than 40 million mu (2.67 million hectares) of land since last year.

Next, we will fully implement the principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, making solid efforts to promote the high-quality development of the "three-north" program. In the new era, we particularly aim to optimize our policies and work together to address the pressing issues and challenges raised at the grassroots level. Furthermore, we will guide various entities to participate extensively in the "three-north" program and strive to win this critical battle. We also welcome the journalists present to visit and see the "three-north" region for yourselves. Thank you.