4 GUARANTEE MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT NAP

4.1 Supports by the Central Government
4.1.1 Projects to combat desertification are included in the National Economic and Social Developmental Plan which are consistent with the National Industry Policy Outlines. The Government prepares the annual financial budget for the desertification combating projects and encourages to provide lower interest loans. The scientific research projects to combat desertification are included in the National Science and Technology Development Plan.

4.1.2 Support by policies, laws and regulations. The following laws have been promulgated:
---China Forestry Law,
---China Soil and Water Conservation Law,
---China Water Law,
---China Mineral Resources Management Law,
---China Grassland Law:
---China Land Management Law,
---China Environment Protection Law,
---China Wild Life Protection Law.

In addition, a state law on combating desertification is under preparation.

4.1.3 Preparation of National Master Plan to Combat Desertification
The Chinese Government has worked out the National Master Plan to Combat Desertification, covering forestry, soil and water conservation and agriculture. The national inventory of desertification has been started and the results of this inventory will help identify the processes of desertification, causes and hazards extent. At the same time, the necessary measures to combat desertification and to immigrate the spread of desertification will be developed.

4.1.4 Food Security
Food security is guaranteed by the government to meet the needs in the case of disasters in the affected areas through improvement of food production sources and the facilities of storage of foods.

4.1.5 Social Guarantee
Poverty Elleviation Plan which highlighted technical development has been made. The following measures are specially stressed ---Dissemination of know-how to combat desertification at grass-root level,
---Alternative livelihoods for farmers affected by desertiflcation be arranged,
---Immigration in the areas with fragile ecosystem be encouraged.

4.2 Supports by Local Governments
Under the guidance of the NAP, local governments at different levels have to support the combating desertification and the implementation of the Local Action Program to Combat Desertification.

4.3 Research, Education and Extension
4.3.1 Scientific researches
---Establishment of new institutions and/or capacity building of existing research units:
---Special items of financial budget and loans will be added to the projects for combating desertification,
---Enhancement of modern facilities, some national key laboratories and engineering and/or technical centres will be established,
---Improvement of the living conditions of research fellows,
---Incorporation of desertification combating, and protection of biodiversity as well as projects relating to climate change into China Agenda 21st Century.

4.3.2 Education
---Continued increase of educational input year by year,
---New departments and facilities will be set up in agriculture and forestry universities and colleges,
---Increasing of educational personnel, e.g. professors and lecturers for the agriculture and forestry universities and colleges and provide with reasonable conditions for living and working,
---Re-education and long distance education on desertification combating will be strengthened,
---Public awareness on desertification is also needed for officials, decision- makers, and school students.

4.3.3 Technology Extension
Chinese Government will arrange a certain amount of funds to the extension, the existing successful technologies on desertification combating and rational utilization of natural resources in the affected areas will be evaluated and then popularized, based on the principles of the ecological, economic and social sustainable development.
---Wide technical extensions and service systems will be soundly established,
---2000 items of know-how will be applied to grass-root level by the year 2000,
---Projects from lab to field will be selected as pilot extension, pilot experiments on transfer systems of technology to combat desertification will be established.

4.4 Social Participation
The suggestions and recommendations from grass-root level of farmers or their representatives will be welcomed and accepted while preparing the working plan and policies and action program to combat desertification. Farmers and herds-men will be encouraged and guided to participate in the action to combat desertification. Meanwhile, the overseas Chinese and foreign citizens are also encouraged to participate in combating desertification. The national compulsory planning and other public activities to combat desertification will be continuously encouraged.
People, especially women and children, will be mobilized and encouraged to participate in desertification combating activities, and necessary conditions for this purpose will be provided.
Non-governmental organizations, e.g. academic societies related to combating desertification, are encouraged to play their roles in the aspect of desertification combating.

4.5 Media and Public Awareness
Television, film, radio, newspapers and journals will help acknowledge people about the program to combat desertification. Booklets and other materials will be prepared and published. The awareness of the importance to combat desertification and to protect environment is the fundamental step. The officials at all levels will be educated to understand the necessarity and urgency of combating desertification. All organizations and governmental authorities at different levels should pay attention to the desertification combating and the whole nation will participate actively in the struggle against desertification and bear their responsibilities work on combating desertification.