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China fights desertification

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Source: CCTV.com | 10-14-2007 10:37

Special Report:   17th CPC National Congress

China's battle against desertification has been going on for years. With strong government support for tree-planting and ecological preservation measures, the sand dunes are shifting more slowly.

A world of sand dunes and camels. This is where two of the biggest deserts in the world - the Gobi and the Taklimakan - meet. For tourists, it's a place to explore nature. But for locals, life is harsh.

Local resident Li Deming said, "It sometimes doesn't rain for years, making the farmland unproductive. We have to go to the cities and do manual work to make a living."

The severe conditions have driven away many locals in Northwestern China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Still, some choose to stay.

Wang Youde grew up not far from the sand dunes. He has devoted the last 20 years of his life to holding back - and even pushing back - the sand. His team has achieved significant success over the years.