China is building the world's largest observation field of wind-sand science in Zhongwei county of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Covering an area of two square kilometers, the field will be divided into three observation areas and two experiment areas.

Deputy director of the key laboratory says observation equipment is being supplied gradually, and the observation field will be operating by the end of the year.

Desert encroachment and sand storms are two major environmental problems afflicting northern China and the country has always listed them as key fields for research.

(CRI May 10, 2004)