A Chinese leading expert in the research of saline pointed out that the prospect of saline development is promising in Tibet as its northern part boasts a large area of special saline lakes, China News Service reported.

Based on his research, Chinese saline study mogul Zheng Mianping said northern Tibet was abundant with salt lake resource, half of which belongs to special type.

"The grade of saline resource is even higher than that in Qinghai Province," Zheng said.

"The saline in Tibet is distinctive, so I think the prospect of saline development in the region is promising," said Zheng, also director of Research & Development Center of Saline of Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CAGS).

The Caerhan Saline in Qinghai is the largest potash production base in China. Statistics indicate the annual output of sylvite in the Qinghai Lake exceeds two million tons.

When comparing the two regions, which both sit in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Zheng brought forward that saline lakes in Qinghai were larger in scale, but lower in grade. In addition, the rare elements in Tibet's saline lakes are higher.

A group of swans swim on the Qinghai Lake in western China. [Photo/Xinhua]

With nature-endowed geography, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau boasts 350 saline lakes and salt water lakes, half of which is special saline.

"Tibet is in a good position to develop a world-class saline lake industry, which is important to promote sustainable development in the region," Zheng said.

Zheng told the journalist the exploitation of saline lake would not harm the environment.

Zheng explained that firstly, the saline industry is a clean-energy industry, secondly, the saline lake is in the lowest point of water hence neither surrounding environment nor locals' life will be influenced.

On the contrary, it is conducive to environmental protection. "We have to set up a lot of observation stations to monitor environment and conduct early-warning system since the saline lake is much sensitive to environment."

In the meanwhile, the exploitation will provide local people around with new jobs, reducing the burden of overgrazing and improving people's standard of living.