More than 70 young scholars from 30 countries and regions will concentrate on such topics as the evolution of mountains, development and rational utilization of mountain resources and comprehensive treatment of degenerated mountain areas.

Nearly two-thirds of China's mountains are located in its western areas. Due to excessive logging over the past few years, a great number of landslides, soil erosion and mud-rock flow has occurred in western China each year, causing 2 billion yuan in economic losses annually on average.

(Xinhua 10/24/2000)