An encyclopedia of Mongolian studies will be published in both Chinese and Mongolian, starting this year. The complete 20 volumes of the work are expected to be published by 2004.

Since 1987, China has hosted four international seminars on Mongolian studies in this capital of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, which is one of the world's leading Mongolian studies research centers.

As part of its efforts to better protect the traditions and culture of the Mongolian ethnic group, the regional government of Inner Mongolia has earmarked five million yuan (600,000 U.S. dollars) for this unique project.

This year, the volumes on literature, medicine and languages will be published.