Abstract: Sandy and gravel desert and desertified land in China cover an area of 1.49 million km²., accounting for 15.5% of total land area of China. It has been thirty years since the Desert Control Group, Academia Sinica was set up in 1959 to today's Institute of Desert Research, our researchs on desert sciences have entered a new developmental process from its original blank spot;a large quantity of information have been accumulated; a great number of scientific workers, with actual experience's and theoretical knowledges, have grew up;they are able to solve various problems in desert and desertification rehabilitation in our country, besides they have contributed to the research and control of desertification in the world. It's on June 5, J988, the world Environment Day, UNEP awarded the "Global 500" Honour to the institute for outstanding achievement in Protection and improvement of the environment. The developmental processes of desert researches can be divided into four stages: 1959-1965, In order to find out desert conditions and explore measures to control them, many scientists were organized to make comprehensive survey to the main deserts and desertified lands; to conduct researches on natural conditions and resources in desert areas; to study of sand dune featurces and lows of sand movement. 1966-1977, According to economic construction requirements with sand damage control as the central work, a series of case studies were carried out, such as problems concerning railway building, development and utilization of water and land resources as well as environmental changes caused. 1987-1983, With land desertification as the centre, carried out comprehensive studies of present conditions, developmental processes, tendency prediction and controlling measures of land desertification in semiarid and arid zones. Starting from 1984, special emphasis is being put on the studies of developmental tendency and prediction, measures to combat desertification and initiated a series of international exchanges and cooperation. 1. Establishing demonstration bases on desertification (blownsand) rehabilitation in different natural zones. 2. Carrying out researches on blownsand problems in subhumid and humid zones. 3. Strengthening monitor and prediction of land desertification. 4. Organizing international symposium and training courses on desertification rehabilitation, taking part in international cooperation projects and sending experts to developing countries for combating desertification. In the meanwhile, various research papers and thematic maps were published. In conclusion, desert researches in our country were gradually developed from comprehensive researches on natural conditions in arid sandy desert areas to desertification and blownsand problems in semiarid and subhumid areas and provided controlling measures for thir rehabilitation. From now on, research emphasis will be placed on controlling measures of intensely developed and serious desertified lands; on establishing controlling models of desertified lands in different natural zones, in order to achieve rational ecosystem managemens and sound environment development. As for the potential and on-going desertified land we will strengthen the monitor and prediction of their developmental tendency and Put forward preventive ways. In addition, we will sum up experiences and lessons in controlling desertification, write teaching materials for training personnels.