Speaking Tuesday at a young scientist forum themed "climate model system and the coping strategy against climate changes," Li said influenced by solar movement and a warmer climate, the intensity of stand storms in north China would fluctuate.

The solar movement would be in a declining phase at the beginning of the 21st century, leading to a lower temperature, he said, and this would weaken the intensity of the ground heating field of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau while strengthening the Mongolian cyclone, which would cause dynamic sand storms.

Actually the trend had been proved by the frequent north China sand storms in recent years, Li said.

China has 1.7 million sq. km of desert, Gobi and desertified land, accounting for 17.2 percent of the territory.

The two-day forum was sponsored by the China Association for Science and Technology, during which experts discussed the establishment of a climate observation system, the development of China's climate model system, and the influences of climate changes on ecology, economy and society.

(Xinhua News Agency June 30, 2004)