Great green wall protects Beijing to combat desertification

Saturday marks the World Day to Combat Desertification. Beijing has been under the threat of sandstorms from deserts to its northwest for decades. CGTN’s reporter Ning Hong visited one of the affected areas to find out what's being done to reduce the threat of moving sand dunes.

In Huailai County, north China city of Zhangjiakou lies the last barrier to stop sand from moving towards the Chinese capital. Since 2000, local authorities have been trying to control desertification in Huailai by planting trees every year to keep the sand dunes from moving.

Keeping these plants alive in a desert area requires a huge investment. Since 2016, the local forestry authority has been borrowing funds from banks, with 120 million yuan (17.6 million US dollars) so far spent on anti-desertification. In years to come, this number is expected to rise if people intend to keep the land green.