Drought and desertification in the People's Republic of China

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Desert may force China to move capital
The Straits Times, 16 August 2000. Premier fears encroaching sands will reach the city in 35 years as a serious drought turns farmlands into dunes in northern parts of the country. The main land area classified as desert was expanding by 2,460 sq km a year. The livelihoods of about 400 million people were being threatened.
Zhu's green report boosts wildlife campaigners
By Jasper Becker, South China Morning Post, 8 March 2001. Under Mao Zedong, large areas of marsh and lake land were drained to grow grain, which allowed millions to settle newly-ploughed regions in Manchuria. Campaign to preserve China's few remaining wetlands and their wildlife. A million people have moved out of land along the Yangtze and smaller scale relocation is being conducted along the Huaihe and other rivers to widen the flood plain. Four major Chinese wetlands of global importance are being helped with outside funds.
China Loses 54 Billion Yuan through Desertification Every Year
Xinhua, 6 June 2001. The overall desert area in China occupies 27.3 percent of the country's total land territory. China is one of the countries most severely affected by desertification. The central government has laid out plans to tackle the problem. By 2010, China will curb the expansion of deserts and by 2050 China will balance the development of economy, society and the environment.
Law Amended to Protect Shrinking Water Resources
Xinhua, 24 December 2001. An amended draft of China's water law was put forward to streamline the administration over the country's shrinking water resources. The uneven demands of local river administrations have resulted in dry periods for the Yellow River, Heihe and Tarim river.
Foreigners Help Tame China's Sandstorms
Xinhua, 22 March 2002. In Inner Mongolia where sandstorms usually originate, Australian help to fight desertification. The Sino-Australian ecological improvement program started in June 2001. First step is local mobilization of herdsmen and farmers, then tap local ecological resources scientifically to achieve sustainable development.