Science and technology have given strong support to China's efforts in prevention and control of desertification, and the country will focus on innovation and strengthen international cooperation to address major sci-tech issues in desertification control, according to the 9th Kubuqi International Desert Forum, held from August 25 to 27 in Ordos, China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

　　A number of sci-tech innovation bases have been built, and a desert observation system and a standardized system for desertification prevention and control have been basically formed, said Wang Zhigang, minister of science and technology, at the forum.

　　As an important exchange platform, the forum has promoted China's anti-desertification experience and techniques to other countries and regions in need.

　　During this year's forum, China and Arab nations jointly launched the China-Arab International Research Center for Drought, Desertification and Land Degradation and started to implement its first batch of projects, including the construction of shrub germplasm project and photovoltaic sand control project in Saudi Arabia.

　　In the past 10 years, China has controlled 20.33 million hectares of desertified land with sci-tech support, said Zhu Xuehua, director general of the department of S&T for social development at the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) at a press conference ahead of the forum.

　　A batch of new technologies and equipment have been developed, said Zhu, citing a green sand-control technology using plant-derived polylactic acid, which can reduce surface wind speed by 40 percent and sediment transport by 50 percent.

　　During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the focus of the ministry is on promoting the development of new models for comprehensive desertification control, and using technology to assist the policy-making process. MOST has carried out R&D on comprehensive desertification prevention and control to upgrade major ecological projects, such as Three-north Shelterbelts Stability and Ecological Function Improvement Project.

　　Wang said, China will deepen international exchanges and cooperation on desertification control, and carry out in-depth international cooperation on R&D and demonstration projects under the framework of the Belt and Road, to contribute more Chinese wisdom and solutions to the global anti-desertification effort.