China's State Forestry Administration says compared with last year and 2001, sandstorm weather was obviously lesser during the March-May period this year, with only seven sandstorms in north China.

The administration says the bad weather mainly occurs in northwest China. Compared with the same period last year, the affected areas experienced far less and weaker storms.

It says the Beijing area, which was seriously affected by sandstorms previously, has not been attacked so far this year.

Sources with the administration say the more stable atmosphere, frequent rainfall combined with the measures against desertification in the western regions are the major reasons for less storms and better weather。

(CRI. June 18, 2003)