Workers upgrade desert barriers in Tengger Desert, China's Ningxia

A drone photo taken on April 10, 2026 shows workers paving straw checkerboard barriers on sand in the Tengger Desert, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Workers in Zhongwei City are upgrading desert barriers in the Tengger Desert by laying new straw checkerboard barriers to improve desert control efficiency. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2026 shows workers paving straw checkerboard barriers on sand in the Tengger Desert, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Workers in Zhongwei City are upgrading desert barriers in the Tengger Desert by laying new straw checkerboard barriers to improve desert control efficiency. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2026 shows straw checkerboard barriers in the Tengger Desert, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Workers in Zhongwei City are upgrading desert barriers in the Tengger Desert by laying new straw checkerboard barriers to improve desert control efficiency. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2026 shows workers paving straw checkerboard barriers on sand in the Tengger Desert, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Workers in Zhongwei City are upgrading desert barriers in the Tengger Desert by laying new straw checkerboard barriers to improve desert control efficiency. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2026 shows workers paving straw checkerboard barriers on sand in the Tengger Desert, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Workers in Zhongwei City are upgrading desert barriers in the Tengger Desert by laying new straw checkerboard barriers to improve desert control efficiency. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Workers pave straw checkerboard barriers on sand in the Tengger Desert, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 10, 2026. Workers in Zhongwei City are upgrading desert barriers in the Tengger Desert by laying new straw checkerboard barriers to improve desert control efficiency. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2026 shows workers using machinery to weave straw checkerboard barriers in Heilin Village, Zhongwei, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Workers in Zhongwei City are upgrading desert barriers in the Tengger Desert by laying new straw checkerboard barriers to improve desert control efficiency. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

A drone photo taken on April 10, 2026 shows workers paving straw checkerboard barriers on sand in the Tengger Desert, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Workers in Zhongwei City are upgrading desert barriers in the Tengger Desert by laying new straw checkerboard barriers to improve desert control efficiency. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

A worker paves straw checkerboard barriers on sand in the Tengger Desert, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 10, 2026. Workers in Zhongwei City are upgrading desert barriers in the Tengger Desert by laying new straw checkerboard barriers to improve desert control efficiency. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 10, 2026 shows workers paving straw checkerboard barriers on sand in the Tengger Desert, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. Workers in Zhongwei City are upgrading desert barriers in the Tengger Desert by laying new straw checkerboard barriers to improve desert control efficiency. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Workers pave straw checkerboard barriers on sand in the Tengger Desert, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 10, 2026. Workers in Zhongwei City are upgrading desert barriers in the Tengger Desert by laying new straw checkerboard barriers to improve desert control efficiency. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

A worker paves straw checkerboard barriers on sand in the Tengger Desert, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 10, 2026. Workers in Zhongwei City are upgrading desert barriers in the Tengger Desert by laying new straw checkerboard barriers to improve desert control efficiency. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Workers pave straw checkerboard barriers on sand in the Tengger Desert, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 10, 2026. Workers in Zhongwei City are upgrading desert barriers in the Tengger Desert by laying new straw checkerboard barriers to improve desert control efficiency. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Workers pave straw checkerboard barriers on sand in the Tengger Desert, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, April 10, 2026. Workers in Zhongwei City are upgrading desert barriers in the Tengger Desert by laying new straw checkerboard barriers to improve desert control efficiency. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)