Beijing sees fewer sandstorms

BEIJING - Beijing Municipality has witnessed fewer sandstorms after years of afforestation and desertification-control measures, authorities said Friday.

Only two to three sandstorms were monitored annually over the past two years, compared with over 13 around the year 2000, said a written statement issued by Beijing Municipal Bureau of Landscape and Forestry on Friday, which coincided with World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.

The municipality has up to 6.9 million mu (460,000 hectares) more forest today than in 2000, bringing its forest coverage to 48 percent, said the statement.

Sandy-land area has been reduced by 372,000 mu, 15 percent of the total, over the past five years, it said.

Afforestation plans also feature in the city's five-year plan.