Aerial photo taken on June 20, 2019 shows the desert area paved by checkerboard sand barriers (C) and trees in Aqqik desertification area of Yuli County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Located on the northern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, Yuli County has started a project since 2016 to curb desertification by paving checkerboard sand barriers. Photo: Xinhua

A staff member prepares to pave checkerboard sand barriers with reed stalks to prevent and control desertification in Aqqik desertification area of Yuli County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 20, 2019. Located on the northern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, Yuli County has started a project since 2016 to curb desertification by paving checkerboard sand barriers. Photo: Xinhua

Staff members pave checkerboard sand barriers with reed stalks to prevent and control desertification in Aqqik desertification area of Yuli County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 20, 2019. Located on the northern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, Yuli County has started a project since 2016 to curb desertification by paving checkerboard sand barriers. Photo: Xinhua

A staff member paves checkerboard sand barriers with reed stalks to prevent and control desertification in Aqqik desertification area of Yuli County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 20, 2019. Located on the northern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, Yuli County has started a project since 2016 to curb desertification by paving checkerboard sand barriers. Photo: Xinhua

Aerial photo taken on June 20, 2019 shows the desert area paved by checkerboard sand barriers (C) and trees in Aqqik desertification area of Yuli County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Located on the northern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, Yuli County has started a project since 2016 to curb desertification by paving checkerboard sand barriers. Photo: Xinhua

Aerial photo taken on June 20, 2019 shows the desert area paved by checkerboard sand barriers (C) and trees in Aqqik desertification area of Yuli County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Located on the northern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, Yuli County has started a project since 2016 to curb desertification by paving checkerboard sand barriers. Photo: Xinhua