Translated from www.people.com     12^th, August

On 11^th, August, a scientific investigation group consisting of twenty scientists from China and Japan started their trip from the town of Naqu, north of Tibet, ushering in a 40-day scientific investigation in Tibet.

Over forty scientists from China, US and Japan are divided into two groups. One is made up of Chinese and Japanese scientists. They will follow the route through Zanggula Mountain in North Tibet and Nianqing Tanggula Mountain to explore the atmosphere, soil and circulation of energy and water that influence the environment on the Plateau. The other is a Sino-US scientific investigation group, which is to set off on 14^th, August. They will start from Lahsa to the north slope of Himalayas and conduct research on glaciers there, esp. that on Namunani Mountain, west of Himalayas. If succeeded, this group will be the first to systematically investigate Namunani. Both investigations will be completed around mid-September.

The first-started Sino-Japan scientific investigation is to acquire a more comprehensive understanding of land-gas interaction and energy-water circulation, so that we can enhance our ability in describing Asian Monsoon system with atmospheric circulation mode and climate mode. Meanwhile, we also hope to improve accuracy of global weather forecast, esp. to foretell some disastrous weather in China.