The new forested areas will include approximately 667,000 hectares gained from farmland, and 3.33 million hectares of afforestation on the wasteland involved in the areas, said Li Yucai, deputy director of the administration.

The target set for the year is nearly the same as the level a year ago, said Li, adding that the administration has signed contracts to make sure all related provinces, cities and regions fulfill their tasks as scheduled.

Meanwhile, Li called for strict implementation of the policy to forbid essential farmland from being transformed for afforestation.

By the end of 2003, China had switched some 7.9 million hectares of farmland to forest, and planted trees on 11.3 million hectares of wasteland and unproductive areas.

The program is intended to control water and soil erosion and optimize the use of the country's land, as well as to lessen assaults by strong wind and sand storms.

(People's Daily March 31, 2004)