The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is launching a project called the "International Dust Storm Program".

Experts attending an international conference on dust storms in Beijing on Thursday said that the program which would help such countries as the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea to fight one of mankind's enemies -- the dust storm.

The program will use such methods as information and laboratory analysis as well as field observation combined with digital model research.

It aims to explain the reason why dust storms occur in Asia, the area they cover, how they travel and their effect on the human environment. It also aims to provide a scientific platform for international research.

According to experts, dust storms mainly occur in the world's arid areas. So far, the world's four dust storm areas include parts of China's northwest. Owing to the wide expanses dust storms cover, it is hard to research their cause and where they originate. Because they cross international boundaries, they have become a problem shared by many countries.

Information from the conference shows that dust storms influence climate, environment and ecology as well as oceans. Since the latter half of the 20th century, dust storms in east Asian desert areas including the great storms inside China, have frequently attacked countries and areas in northeast Asia. The storms have become more intense.

Chinese geologist and academician Liu Dongsheng said the dust storm was a natural phenomenon which stemmed from ancient times. To study dust storms required an international strategic research project which should be put into effect through the joint efforts of the international community and international scientific fields, he said.

( November 1, 2002)