A comprehensive environment project, sponsored by the European Union with a total investment of 37 million euro, was launched in northeast China's Liaoning Province on December 10.

The medium- to long-term strategic project, which concerns the province's economy, environmental protection and many other fields, was formally signed in June of 1998.

The project is designed to solve problems such as environmental pollution and other issues that arise in the province's modernization and social and economic reforms, said Ambassador Endymion Wilkinson, head of the European Commission delegation in China.

The five-year project is the first step of cooperation between the province and the EU, and will complete in 2004.

Chinese and European delegates had a meeting after the press conference today to discuss the working plan for the next six months.