JINAN, April 12 (Xinhuanet) -- A grape cultivation base featuring breeds imported from Moldova, a leading grape producer and winery, has been put into operation in Penglai City, the eastern province Shandong.

    Shandong is China's major wine producing province where the leading winery Zhangyu Group, with a history of more than 110 years, is based.

    The program, under a government deal signed by premiers of bothcountries in 2001, aims to improve grape strains to grow in China,and provide better quality materials for Chinese wine industry.

    The base imports grapes from Moldova, which will be tested and modified to foster high-grade seedlings adapted to Chinese soil and weather.

    Experts from both countries are working at the base on trial cultivation, using 700 grapevines falling into 14 species.

    Penglai has a long tradition of grape cultivation and a favorable climate, and a number of major wineries are based in thecity.

    A former republic of the Soviet Union, Moldova gained its independence in June 1991. It has advanced grape-cultivating and wine industries, and wine making accounts for 18 percent of the country's gross industrial output. Enditem