A group of Chinese scientists plan to probe the heartland of the Amazon River Basin next month, in what will be the country's first large-scale multi-purpose exploration in the area, China's leading research institution said Wednesday.

Chen Siliang, director of the Center for International Scientific Exchange of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), said the exploration team is scheduled to leave for Brazil in mid-July and their exploration will last about one month.

The team includes seven Chinese experts, a Brazilian counterpart, and three correspondents from China Central Television (CCTV).

Chen said they would conduct geological and biological exploration of the tropical area while the CCTV correspondents would tape major moments of their trip and film the rich tourism resources for domestic viewers.

Chen said Chinese viewers may have the opportunity to tour the area soon as Brazil and China would reportedly expand cooperation in tourism.

The scientists would study geographical and biological resources and have a close look at indigenous culture and environmental protection.

The inspection would focus on areas with Manous City in the middle reaches of the Amazon River as the center and would anchor at selected areas in the upper and lower reaches of the river for field inspection of water resources, types of vegetation and animals.

Home to up to 900,000 Indians, the Amazon River Basin is rich in biodiversity and 60 percent of the basin is covered with low-lying tropical forests.

(Xinhua News Agency June 10, 2004)