URUMQI, Xinjiang, June 9 -- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Tuesday called for solid efforts to ensure timely progress in the advancement of three landmark projects for the nation's Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, one of China's most significant ecological initiatives.
He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while attending a meeting held in the Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture of Bayingolin in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China. The meeting aimed at promoting work progress in the advancement of these critical environmental projects.
The vice premier emphasized that sound efforts must be advanced to complete over 70 percent of work tasks for the sixth phase of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program by 2027, with all work tasks for this phase to be fulfilled by 2030. This ambitious timeline reflects China's commitment to addressing the severe challenges posed by desertification.
China is among the countries with the most severe desertification globally. Its desertified areas are mainly located in northwest, north and northeast China, which together are dubbed the three-north. These regions face persistent threats from sandstorms, soil degradation, and loss of arable land, making ecological restoration critical for sustainable development.
The Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, initiated in 1978, has become the world's largest afforestation endeavor. Scheduled to be completed by 2050, the program aims to rehabilitate and green desert-prone lands and desertified areas across the three-north region. Its significance extends beyond environmental protection, serving as a buffer against ecological disasters and contributing to carbon sequestration efforts.
While in Bayingolin on Monday, He also visited an apocynum planting demonstration area and a desertification control research base. These visits highlighted the practical implementation of ecological restoration technologies and the integration of local communities in desertification control efforts.
The Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program represents a pioneering approach to large-scale ecological engineering. By 2025, the program had already planted over 66 billion trees, creating a green barrier spanning more than 400,000 square kilometers. The project has not only reduced sandstorm intensity and frequency but also improved local microclimates and supported sustainable agricultural practices.
Experts note that the program's success depends on scientific planning, long-term investment, and active participation from local populations. Recent phases have incorporated modern technologies such as satellite monitoring, drought-resistant plant species selection, and precision irrigation systems to enhance effectiveness.
The Chinese government has consistently prioritized ecological civilization as a core component of national development strategy. The Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program serves as a flagship initiative demonstrating China's dedication to balancing economic growth with environmental protection.
Looking ahead, the completion of the sixth phase by 2030 will mark a critical milestone in China's decades-long fight against desertification. Success will reinforce the program's reputation as a model for global ecological restoration and climate change mitigation efforts.
About He Lifeng: He Lifeng (born February 1955) is a Chinese economist and politician who has served as Vice Premier of China since March 2023, responsible for economic and financial affairs. He is a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party and serves as Director of the Office of the Central Financial and Economic Affairs Commission under CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping. Earlier in his career, he worked in Fujian province and Tianjin, holding posts including Party Secretary of Fuzhou, Party Secretary of Xiamen, and Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) from February 2017 to March 2023.
Sources: gov.cn/SCIO, Wikipedia - He Lifeng
