¡¡¡¡BEIJING, January 28 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese scientists say they have pinpointed the origins of the dust storms that have been plaguing China in recent years, as well as the paths the storms follow.

¡¡¡¡A study sponsored by the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) shows the storms originate mainly in the Gobi and other desert areas in the southeast of Mongolia, the east of Kazakhstan, the east of China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and deserts in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

¡¡¡¡In spring and winter they enter China by three different routes,from the north, the northwest and the west. Large areas inn north China and east China, including Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Shanxi, Hebei, Beijing, Shandong and Jiangsu, are affected by them.

¡¡¡¡Quan Hao, director of the study and also chief engineer of Sino-Japan Friendship Center for Environmental Protection, said that 18of the 32 dust storms that reached China in 2001 originated from southern Mongolia and the other 14 from Inner Mongolia.

¡¡¡¡Based on this study, Chinese scientists have suggested a number of measures to stave off dust storms, including improving the environment, establishing shelterbelts in key areas, and establishing long-term cooperation with Mongolia on dust storm prevention.

¡¡¡¡The SEPA said that China has already initiated a series of projects aimed at harnessing dust storms at their origin, including improving vegetation and the environment in the areas of origin. Analysts say this is a task which must be completed before 2008, when Beijing will host the 2008 Olympic Games.

¡¡¡¡Scientists say dust storms pollute the air, disrupt traffic, harm health and may even cause the death of both human beings and animals. China has had severe dust storms since 1998 and the situation shows no sign of letting up. Enditem