The International Conference on Combating Land Degradation in Agricultural Areas (LANDCON 1010) was held in Xi’an from October 11th to 15th, 2010. Vice Minster Liu Ning presented at the conference and made a keynote speech.

He calls for joint efforts of taking measures for preventing soil erosion and land degradation. In China, serious soil erosion brings various hazards. During the recent 50 years, the annual average damaged farmland due to soil erosion reaches more than 60,000 hm². Sediment, deposits in rivers, lakes and reservoirs, reduces the storage capacity of water facilities and flood discharge capacity of natural river courses. Severe soil erosion also intensifies drought situation and worsens ecological environment.

Thanks to the soil and water conservation measures, The Chinese government has reduced soil and water loss, improved eco-environment and made remarkable achievements. The target for the future undertaking are to restore or preliminarily control all eroded area in about 15-20 years and build favorable eco-environment in most parts of the country.