Chinas Experience in Combating Desertification and Greenifyng the Country: History, Outcomes and Prospects

Abstract

In the 21st century, despite the international community’s activism in addressing global problems, environmental issues continue to be of particular relevance. The state of the environment, as never before, becomes decisive at the most important stage of implementation of the macroeconomic policy of the state - determination of its strategic development goals. The period of industrialization has left a legacy of air pollution, land degradation, desertification and deforestation on the planet, both for knowledge-intensive, post-industrialized developed countries and for developing ones that continue to rely on raw materials. Ignoring them could block any alternatives of further economic development of national economies and increase their human capital. China is a striking example of a country, whose leaders at the end of the last century began to pay serious attention to environmental issues, first of all, to combating desertification and the subsequent implementation of forestation programs in the country. Thanks to its sound environmental policy, China has succeeded in increasing the proportion of its forest cover from 8,6 % in 1949 to 23,04 % by 2020. The purpose of the article is to provide a retrospective analysis of the complex activities in various provinces and regions of China aimed at transforming the country into a green space. Adopting the relevant experience of other countries could be a trigger in settling the still burning environmental issue.