CGTN This land was being swallowed by the desert – until they started planting trees

Since February, nearly 10,000 volunteers from across China – including a young boy from Hong Kong – have traveled to Minqin County in Gansu Province, northwest China. Surrounded by two vast deserts, Minqin has long stood on the frontline of the fight against encroaching sand.

“I’ve come here for three years,” the boy says. “The saplings we planted are now trees. Turning desert into green is no longer just a dream.”

For decades, local residents have worked to combat desertification and protect their homes. Forest coverage has increased from 3% in the 1950s to 18.28% today.

This spring alone, more than 33,000 people signed up online for the “Come to Minqin to Plant Trees” campaign. Over 9,500 made the journey – including international volunteers.

No slogans. Just shovels, sweat and steady hands.

This is how ordinary people protect the land – one tree at a time.

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