Barren island turned into green treasure after years-long co

A farmer plants seedlings on Zhaoshu Island of Sansha, south China's Hainan Province, March 19, 2026.

Once barren, the Zhaoshu Island has been turned into a green treasure after years-long ecological conservation efforts including afforestation, waste classification and seawater desalination by Sansha City. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

A resident shows handmade fridge magnets at a shop on Zhaoshu Island of Sansha, south China's Hainan Province, March 19, 2026.

Once barren, the Zhaoshu Island has been turned into a green treasure after years-long ecological conservation efforts including afforestation, waste classification and seawater desalination by Sansha City. (Xinhua/Liu Lianfen)

A staff member puts shell specimen artworks in place at a shop on Zhaoshu Island of Sansha, south China's Hainan Province, March 19, 2026.

Once barren, the Zhaoshu Island has been turned into a green treasure after years-long ecological conservation efforts including afforestation, waste classification and seawater desalination by Sansha City. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

This photo taken on March 19, 2026 shows a residential cluster on Zhaoshu Island of Sansha, south China's Hainan Province.

Once barren, the Zhaoshu Island has been turned into a green treasure after years-long ecological conservation efforts including afforestation, waste classification and seawater desalination by Sansha City. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

People have fun along the coastline on Zhaoshu Island of Sansha, south China's Hainan Province, March 20, 2026.

Once barren, the Zhaoshu Island has been turned into a green treasure after years-long ecological conservation efforts including afforestation, waste classification and seawater desalination by Sansha City. (Xinhua/Liu Lianfen)

This photo taken on March 19, 2026 shows a view along the coastline on Zhaoshu Island of Sansha, south China's Hainan Province.

Once barren, the Zhaoshu Island has been turned into a green treasure after years-long ecological conservation efforts including afforestation, waste classification and seawater desalination by Sansha City. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

A staff member irrigates potted plants at a nursery on Zhaoshu Island of Sansha, south China's Hainan Province, March 19, 2026.

Once barren, the Zhaoshu Island has been turned into a green treasure after years-long ecological conservation efforts including afforestation, waste classification and seawater desalination by Sansha City. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

A motorcycle rider passes by a waste collection point on Zhaoshu Island of Sansha, south China's Hainan Province, March 19, 2026.

Once barren, the Zhaoshu Island has been turned into a green treasure after years-long ecological conservation efforts including afforestation, waste classification and seawater desalination by Sansha City. (Xinhua/Liu Lianfen)

A staff member irrigates plants on Zhaoshu Island of Sansha, south China's Hainan Province, March 19, 2026.

Once barren, the Zhaoshu Island has been turned into a green treasure after years-long ecological conservation efforts including afforestation, waste classification and seawater desalination by Sansha City. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)