In the summer of 2025, 100,000 roses blossomed in China’s Taklamakan Desert.
Desert Edge-Locking: Half a Century of Green Commitment
In November 2024, the “Taklamakan Desert Edge-Locking Project” was officially completed in Hotan, Xinjiang, China. Local residents built a 3,046-kilometer ecological barrier using reed fences, straw grids, and shrubs, encircling the Taklamakan Desert. These measures effectively reduce wind erosion, conserve water sources, and protect surrounding areas from desertification.
Final Protective Belt: The Romantic Defense of 100,000 Roses
In the final section at Yutian County, workers carefully planted 100,000 drought-resistant roses, completing this extensive green protection belt. This achievement marked nearly half a century of China’s dedicated efforts to contain the world’s second-largest shifting desert.
Ecological Miracle: The Mission of Desert Roses
The edge-locking strategy significantly curbs sandstorms, protecting farmland, towns, transportation infrastructure, and livable areas from encroaching sands.
Covering 337,600 square kilometers, the Taklamakan Desert, known as the “Sea of Death,” receives only 10-80 millimeters of rainfall annually, creating extremely harsh environmental conditions. China’s government initiated this project to halt desert expansion and safeguard surrounding oases.
Through years of cultivation, China has successfully developed drought-tolerant rose varieties suited for desert conditions. These roses not only effectively reduce wind speed and erosion but also have deep roots that stabilize soil and prevent water loss. After several months of growth, all 100,000 roses survived, providing ecological and economic benefits.
Economic Growth: New Opportunities from Rose Cultivation
Economically, rose cultivation has spurred local industrial growth, producing over 30 derivative products, including rose water, tea, and cosmetics, creating numerous employment opportunities. Additionally, the desert rose fields have become a popular tourist attraction.
Fighting Desertification: Four Decades of Continuous Effort
Since 1978, China’s government has strategically invested in large-scale afforestation projects in the Northwest, North, and Northeast regions. Known as the “Three-North Shelterbelt Project,” this initiative created a vast green barrier spanning thousands of kilometers. Over four decades, Xinjiang alone planted over 70 million acres of trees, expanding its artificial oases from 65,000 square kilometers to 100,000 square kilometers.
China’s Contribution to Combating Desertification
Globally, China actively participates in combating desertification through international cooperation. Since signing the UN Convention to Combat Desertification in 1994, China has become the first nation worldwide to achieve zero net growth in land degradation, effectively reducing areas suffering from desertification and sandification.
China’s success in planting 100,000 roses in the Taklamakan Desert symbolizes the harmonious integration of ecological governance and cultural beauty. It reduces sandstorms, boosts local economies, and represents hope for a sustainable future.
The data and images are from China Xinhua News Agency and People’s Daily
