2 THE STRATEGIC OBJFCTIVES TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION

The strategic objectives to combat desertification in China are continuously focused on the carrying out of the principle of the prevention and the combination of protection, combating and development of the affected areas. The key efforts will be paid to the overall implementation of NAP through demonstrations and pilot projects. The limitation of the acceleration spread of desertification is the first priority tasks to combat desertification. The strategy of desertification in China is divided into three phases namely first phase from 1996 to 2000, second phase from 2001 to 2010 and third phase from 2011 to 2050, which coincides with the time schedule of China National Economic and Social Developmental Plan:

2.1 Objectives of first phase (1996-2000) To slow down the speed of desertification, ecosystem in some regions will be improved, people's life quality and living circumstance will be significantly increased. The targets are:
---2.80 million ha of lands affected by wind erosion will be rehabilitated,
---2.40 million ha of lands affected by water erosion will be reafforested ( 600,000 ha will be the artificial plantation),
---7.15 million ha of degraded steppe, desert steppe and rangelands will be revegetated,
---2 million ha of salinizedfalkalized lands will be appropriately reclaimed,
---165 natural reserves and preservations in arid, semi- arid and dry sub-humid areas will be established, covering a total area of 59.5 million ha.

2.2 Objectives of second phase (2001-2010): Ecological conditions in some affected areas will be remarkably improved and people's life quality and living circumstance will be greatly improved. The targets are:
---6.00 million ha of lands affected by wind erosion will be rehabilitated,
---4.80 million ha of lands affected by water erosion will be reafforested ( 600,000 ha will be the artificial plantation),
--- 1 7. 50 million ha of degraded rangelands will be improved through revegetation,
---5 .00 million ha of salinized/alkalized lands will be properly reclaimed,
---The total area of natural reserves and preservation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas will be increased bv 65.68 million ha.

2.3 Objectives of the third phase (2011-2050): Nearly all desertified land will be brought rehabilitated. The total area of natural reserves will be reached 91.35 million ha and the ecosystem in the affected areas will be fully restored and economic development will be promoted.