The Republic of Korea's government has agreed to offer 8.27 million yuan (about US$1 million) in aid to help control desertification in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Under an agreement, the money will be used to plant trees and grasses on 1,200 hectares of desertified land in the Turpan Prefecture. The project will provide firewood to local farmers and protect their farmland from the invading desert.

The Chinese government will provide an additional 6.63 million yuan (about US$800,000) to finance the project, scheduled to be completed by 2005, officials with the Xinjiang forestry bureau said.

In addition to the financial support, the Republic of Korea will also help Xinjiang draw up the scheme, and provide the necessary equipment and technical training.

(Xinhua News Agency December 10, 2002)