A Sino-ROK reforestation project in Turpan Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has taken effect, cutting the frequency of dust storms markedly.

The frequency of wind storms over force 10 has decreased to only three times a year in Turpan, compared to more than 10 times a year in the past, said Xue Zhilin, vice mayor of Turpan city.

Starting in 2001, China cooperated with the Republic of Korea to launch a reforestation project in Turpan, with the goal of planting 1,200 hectares of shelter forest on sandy areas near Aydingkol Lake, located in the Turpan Basin, within five years.

So far, more than 400 hectares has been forested around Aydingkol Lake, which is the lowest point in China with some of its water area more than 150 meters below sea level.

The project cost 6.63 million yuan (US$800,000) from the Chinese government and 8.27 million yuan (US$1 million)from a donation by the ROK government.

In addition to the project in Xinjiang, the ROK has invested since 2000, more than six million dollars in forestry efforts in southwest Guizhou Province, north Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, and northwest Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

(Xinhua News Agency March 15, 2004)