ＣＨＩＮＡ　ＤＥＨＹＤＲＡＴＥＤ

ＬＩ　ＬＩ

"spring rain is as preciousas oil." This ancientproverb invented byfarmers in north Chinacaptures both the im-oortance and rarity of springtime rain in the region. Areas southof China's great Yangtze River receive highlevels of rainfall during the country's mon-soon season, while north of the river rain isin short supply. This has been the pattern ofrainfall for hundreds of years, but over thepast 12 months the whole of China has be-gun to appreciate any rainfall.