Chongqing city in Sichuan province began on February 10 to investigate bio-safety on a large scale to contain the ever worsening invasion of foreign species.

Foreign species, including the bullfrog, are posing an ever serious threat to the safety of the local biological species.

The investigation will last for half a year. It involves social survey with questionnaires, investigations in such key institutions as forestry, environmental protection and water conservancy bureaus, the customs, stations of plant protection and seed corporations and relevant university laboratories. It is designed to garner a clear picture of the status quo so as to take steps to prevent or contain threats from foreign species.

According to Professor Chen Yucheng of the Southwest China University of Agricultural Science, the invading foreign species have caused serious damages to China's biodiversity and eco-environment with some areas at an uncontrollable extent.

(www.cenews.com.cn March 4, 2003)