The Minqin Oasis in Gansu Province is facing serious land desertification due to excessive water use and reclamation. Premier Wen Jiabao has expressed concern about preventing Minqin from becoming like the Lop Nur Lake region. The study analyzed data on water runoff, land use, and population since the 1950s to understand the problem. The researchers suggest returning farmland to wasteland or steppe and developing water-saving ecosystems to prevent and control land desertification. However, local efforts alone may not be enough, and government support is needed for substantial capital and technical inputs.