The Sino-Japanese desert expedition is now moving forward 30 km a day along the west bank of the Hotan River, to its next destination as they are rapidly running out of supplies.

Provisions began running out when the team arrived at the intersection of Hotan County and the 39th parallel, north altitude, the first supply depot on the expedition. CYTS (China Youth Travel Service) Xinjiang International Tour Co Ltd , the organizer of the expedition, has sent rescuers to shoulder provisions to the explorers.

The supply team had planned to arrive at the first supply depot by February 2, but were met by sudden flooding at Hotan River when they arrived at the east foot of Mazartagh Mountains. The devastated roads along the bank stopped them arriving at the supply depot on time.

The explorers told Xinjiang City News through satellite phone at 19:00 on February 6 that team members had limited food since February 4.

Fourteen Japanese are on the team. Four are females. The average age is 63, with the eldest being 78. They set off on January 28 from Urumqi, capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, planning to walk across the Taklamakan Desert, China's largest desert in Xinjiang, within 57 days.

(China.org.cn by Unisumoon February 11, 2004)