Rockets will be fired into clouds to ensure there is sufficient snow for the Asian Winter Games in the northeastern Chinese city of Changchun later this month, local media reported on Tuesday.

The weather in the host province of Jilin, which borders North Korea and Russia, has been warmer than expected this winter, threatening a shortfall of snow for the skiing events at the quadrennial continental gathering.

Jilin provincial officials said earlier this month they had already produced snowfall in preparation for the Games.

"The snow made artificially could fulfil the needs of the Winter Games competitions," Games general secretary An Li told the China Daily. "Several trial runs have proved successful."

China frequently uses aircraft, artillery and rocket launchers to chemically 'seed' clouds and produce artificial rain for the easing of drought and pollution as well as to put out forest fires.

The Sixth Asian Winter Games open on January 28 and runs until February 4 with more than 1,000 athletes from 27 nations and regions competing in 11 ice and snow sports.

(Xinhua News Agency via Reuters January 17, 2007)