A 30-strong survey group on Wednesday started to re-measure China's lowest point on land -- Aiding Lake in northwestern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

 

The Xinjiang Bureau of Surveying and Mapping in 1979 said that the lowest point of the lake is 154 meters below sea level. Major changes have taken place to the lake since then, hence the need to re-measure it, said bureau head Liu Geqing.

 

Located at the base of Tulufan Basin, Aiding Lake, which means "Moonlight Lake" in the Uygur language, has a water surface of seven square kilometers. It is the world's second-lowest lake after the Dead Sea in the Middle East.

 

The survey group will explore 25 square kilometers to be sure of finding the lowest point.

 

The group chose winter to begin its re-measuring work because in summer temperatures can rise to an unbearable 70 degrees Celsius and swamps are not accessible.

 

The survey is expected to end in April.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2007)