In early spring 2021, some regions in northern China were hit by sand and dust weather, ranging from blowing sand and floating dust to sandstorms, which not only affected normal production and life, but also harmed people’s health. According to China National Environmental Monitoring Center, southern Mongolia was one of the main sources of the sand and dust events.
On April 7, 2021, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang talked over phone with Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai Oyun Erdene at request, expressing China's willingness to work with Mongolia to meet challenges in environmental protection and desertification prevention and control. On July 27, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg in Tianjin, and shared the vision for long-term cooperation with Mongolia in combating desertification and sandstorms. On September 22, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh proposed the National Campaign to "Plant One Billion Trees" in the general debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, by which Mongolia aims to plant one billion trees by 2030. During a video conference call with Mongolian Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene on October 12 from Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai, Premier Li Keqiang reiterated his hope that the two countries could further the cooperation on desertification control and create a clean and beautiful ecological environment together.
In this view, China and Mongolia share common interests and good expectations for friendly cooperation in terms of improving the ecological environment and combating desertification. Therefore, it is essential to learn more about the desertification in Mongolia. The top priority is how to cooperate with Mongolia in close coordination to promote the process of combating desertification against the backdrop of the covid pandemic.
On October 18, 2021, the Institute of Area Studies, Peking University held a symposium on Desertification Prevention and Control in Mongolia. Professors and scholars from related schools attended the symposium.
