China, Mongolia and Russia set up joint centre to study ecology in cold-arid regions

The China-Mongolia-Russia International Centre for the Study of Ecology and Engineering in Cold-Arid Regions has opened in Lanzhou, the administrative centre of Gansu Province in northwest China. The institution was created to deepen cooperation between the three countries in the field of scientific and technological innovation, as reported by Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

After the opening ceremony, the parties signed a memorandum on cooperation in research activities, intensification of academic exchanges, and training of master's and PhD students.

According to the document, the centre is ready to focus on studying the impact of hydrological disasters on cryospheres (ice existence zones) in the territories of China, Mongolia and Russia. Specialists will assess the impact of engineering projects on ecology in permafrost zones and prevent desertification.