Fang Chengtian, the organizer of the journey, said the 10-day activity would spread science knowledge and promote the development of the western region, covering nine counties of the northwestern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Gansu Province.

Eighty-seven experts from 20 central and local departments, including experts in medicine, science popularization, agriculture and education, would work as volunteers on the train.

Fang said that during the 10-day journey, 242 science popularization programs would be organized, including exhibitions, lectures, agricultural and medical technical training, and popular science films.

The activities would be carried out in local hospitals, schools, enterprises, railway stations and troops.

Science popularization materials such as books and equipment would be donated to the Western area to further extend the activity after the journey, the organizer said.

(People's Daily October 15, 2002)