The State Council on August 13 approved the general outline for a land use plan from 2006 to 2020 to ensure the proper use of arable land amid concerns about grain security.

The plan ensures the area of the country's arable land will be at least 121 million hectares by 2010 and no less than 120 million hectares by 2020.

The outline also called for tightened restrictions on the acquisition of farmland for construction of housing and factories and urged local authorities to intensify monitoring of land use.

Transgenic Cow

Chinese scientists announced on August 11 that they have bred a genetically altered cow capable of producing cancer-fighting proteins for humans.

The cow, which can produce CD20 antibodies in its milk, was born in Beijing on August 2 and a dozen more are due to be born next month.

Researchers said mass breeding of the animal would enable China to produce the therapeutic proteins cheaply.

The human monoclonal (produced from a single cell) antibodies could be purified from the milk of the transgenic cow, and used to treat B cell lymphomas and leukemias and some auto-immune diseases, said research team leader Li Ning, an academician with China Academy of Engineering, whose laboratory is at the China Agriculture University.

Investment in Tibet

The Central Government will spend more than 38 billion yuan ($5.5 billion) over the next few years to boost economic development and social welfare in Tibet, state media reported on August 11.

Nyima Pandor, Deputy Director of the Information Office of the Tibet Regional Government, was quoted by China Daily as saying that a document had recently been drawn up by the National Development and Reform Commission pledging that the Central Government and provincial authorities will provide aid and support for the region as it continues to recover from the damage caused by the March 14 riots.

The document mostly calls for increased financial support from the central budget, the promotion of tourism, and the restoration and repair of infrastructure, the official said.

It also states the need for improved care for the region's most vulnerable groups and the strengthening of its capacity to maintain social stability, she said.

Olympic Summer Camp

A one-week summer camp for about 100 children who have lost at least one parent to AIDS opened on August 9, with watching the Olympic Games high on the itinerary. Co-organized by the Chinese Government and the UN International Children's Emergency Fund, this is the fifth camp of its kind. Most participants this year are middle school students, who live and play with about 200 other children who volunteered to join the camp, as well as 20 "compassion ambassadors," including two-time Olympic vaulting gold medallist Lou Yun.

Their activities include watching Olympic events and visiting the National Postal Museum. The Beijing Olympic organizers have sponsored tickets to some Olympic events including baseball, beach volleyball and track and field. All the entertainment venues on the schedule have offered free admission for the children.