What was once a windswept stretch of Ningxia’s Gobi Desert is now a lush 6,600-hectare vineyard—a testament to one entrepreneur’s vision and China’s poverty alleviation efforts. Fifteen years ago, a Fujian-born businessman embarked on a 2,000-kilometer journey to northwest China as part of the Fujian-Ningxia partnership, launching an unprecedented ecological experiment.
Against harsh desert conditions, he led efforts to plant 5 million trees, transforming barren land into fertile soil capable of sustaining vineyards. The project not only revived the local ecosystem but created jobs, boosted tourism, and positioned Ningxia as an emerging wine-producing region.
This story highlights how cross-regional collaborations can drive sustainable development. 'When you fight nature, you lose. When you work with it, miracles happen,' the entrepreneur remarked, underscoring the balance between economic ambition and environmental stewardship.
With desertification affecting over 2.6 million square kilometers globally, according to UN data, such innovations offer hope for restoring vulnerable ecosystems while empowering communities—a blueprint for global changemakers.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
