China grows military-grade, high-performance rubber in Gobi Desert

China is pioneering the cultivation of high-performance, military-grade rubber-producing trees, specifically Eucommia ulmoides (Duzhong), in the harsh environment of the Gobi Desert. Traditionally grown in central and southern China, Duzhong is valued both for its medicinal properties and as a native source of natural rubber, ranking as the world’s second-largest rubber resource. The rubber extracted from Duzhong enhances durability and wear resistance in advanced defense applications, such as puncture-resistant tires and electromagnetic shielding composites. To reduce reliance on fragile overseas supply chains, Chinese researchers began experimental cultivation in Xinjiang’s Gobi Desert in 2016, transforming barren land into productive forests and expanding Duzhong cultivation to about 300,000 hectares nationwide, with plans to reach 3.3 million hectares by 2030. To adapt Duzhong for desert conditions and improve rubber yield, scientists conducted extensive breeding programs, selecting elite strains suited for arid climates. A key breakthrough was the development of a