China, Mongolia to jointly combat desertification

The China International Development Cooperation Agency and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration signed a framework agreement on Friday with the Mongolian government on supporting Mongolia's "Plant a Billion Trees" plan and conducting collaborative efforts in desertification control.

The signing ceremony took place during a working discussion with Mongolia's Ministry of Economic Development, Construction and Urban Development, Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the National Forestry Agency.

The China-Mongolia Desertification Prevention and Control Cooperation Center was also established and will serve as a vital platform for joint efforts in combating desertification.

The efforts will involve China's support for Mongolia's ambitious "Plant a Billion Trees" plan and the construction of ecological protection and restoration demonstration areas. China will promote its established afforestation, grass planting, and sand control techniques and models in Mongolia.

In addition, the collaboration includes the building of sand and dust monitoring stations in the Gobi Desert regions of China and Mongolia to conduct sandstorm monitoring and provide early warnings.

China and Mongolia have committed to conducting joint research and capacity-building activities to mitigate the impact of sand and dust hazards in Northeast Asia.