Where trees thrived, drifting sands surrendered, and fertile farmlands, once buried under sand dunes, were reclaimed. Crop yields soared, farmers' incomes increased, and the region was transformed into a bountiful granary.

Shi's unwavering commitment to desert control and afforestation has seen desert land recede and lush land flourish, inspiring more people to join the cause of desert control. Today, nearly 80 percent of the Mu Us Desert in Yulin is covered in vegetation, soil erosion has been effectively prevented and the desert is likely to become China's first "vanished" desert.