A staff member drives a tractor to transport materials for sand barriers in Kumtag Desert in Kazak Autonomous County of Aksay, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. Covering a total area of 222,000 mu (14,800 hectares), a water conservation, ecological protection and restoration project is underway here, with sub-projects including sand fixation and afforestation. (Photo by Gao Hongshan/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows a staff member laying sand barriers in Kumtag Desert in Kazak Autonomous County of Aksay, northwest China's Gansu Province. Covering a total area of 222,000 mu (14,800 hectares), a water conservation, ecological protection and restoration project is underway here, with sub-projects including sand fixation and afforestation. (Photo by Gao Hongshan/Xinhua)

A staff member lays sand barriers in Kumtag Desert in Kazak Autonomous County of Aksay, northwest China's Gansu Province, Dec. 13, 2025. Covering a total area of 222,000 mu (14,800 hectares), a water conservation, ecological protection and restoration project is underway here, with sub-projects including sand fixation and afforestation. (Photo by Gao Hongshan/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Dec. 13, 2025 shows staff members laying sand barriers in Kumtag Desert in Kazak Autonomous County of Aksay, northwest China's Gansu Province. Covering a total area of 222,000 mu (14,800 hectares), a water conservation, ecological protection and restoration project is underway here, with sub-projects including sand fixation and afforestation. (Photo by Gao Hongshan/Xinhua)