January 23, 2008 

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of an international conference on combating desertification in Beijing, Jan. 22, 2008. Hui on Tuesday called on countries to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to faithfully fulfil their promise and continue their fight against desertification. [Xinhua Photo]

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu (C) and other guests attend the opening ceremony of an international conference on combating desertification in Beijing, Jan. 22, 2008. Hui on Tuesday called on countries to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to faithfully fulfil their promise and continue their fight against desertification. [Xinhua Photo]

UN Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs Sha Zukang reads a congratulatory letter from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during the opening ceremony of an international conference on combating desertification in Beijing, Jan. 22, 2008.

Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu (R) meets with Francis Nhema, chairman of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, in Beijing, Jan. 22, 2008. Hui on Tuesday called on countries to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to faithfully fulfil their promise and continue their fight against desertification.  [Xinhua Photo]

The representatives of an international conference on combating desertification stand together for a group photo in Beijing, Jan. 22, 2008. Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu delivered a speech at the conference on Tuesday. He called on countries to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to faithfully fulfil their promise and continue their fight against desertification. [Xinhua Photo]