Japan and China are about embark on an innovative new program using satellite-generated information updated daily to more closely integrate environment policies in Asia, according to the Environment Ministry.
Starting in April, research arms of the two governments will outline specific goals and set to work on the necessary facilities for what will be the most extensive bilateral environmental monitoring project between the countries.
The plan calls for two centers to be established in China in the upcoming fiscal year to receive transmissions of satellite data. One will be located in Beijing and the other in the western city of Urumqi, near where officials say China is facing some of its most severe desertification and other environmental problems.