A 14-member team of Chinese and Russian scientists arrived in
the Tunkinsky region of the Russian Republic of Buryatia Saturday
on a joint scientific expedition in Siberia.
Meanwhile, other scientists of a larger Chinese-Russian group,
which includes the 14-member team, began studies on zoology,
regional economy and aquatic biology in other parts of
Buryatia.
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The 14 scientists conducted studies on the geological
composition and collected some rock samples before they arrived at
Arshan in the Tunkinsky region of Buryatia on Saturday.
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The scientists were scheduled to go deep into primary forests in
Buryatia in the coming days to collect data on timber and mineral
resources of the forests.
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They would also meet local officials to explore ways of
expanding cooperation between China and Russia at regional
level.
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A 32-member group of Chinese scientists arrived in Russia on
July 19 to join Russian scientists in studying mineral resources in
Siberia.
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The Sino-Russian joint expedition is part of China's Year of
Russia programs designed to bolster bilateral relations in all
fields.
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The Siberia tour is regarded as an extension of last year's
Sino-Russian expedition of the Lake of Baikal in Russia. In August
2005, a group of Chinese and Russian scientists conducted the first
Sino-Russian joint expedition for the study of aquatic animals and
biology in the area.
(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2006)