1.
GV Temple of Heaven (2 shots)
0.06

2.
SV Archway
0.10

3.
SV Man sweeps snow in front of sculpture
0.11

4.
GV Stairs of temple snow-covered
0.14

5.
SV Wall
0.18

6.
GV Stair to Temple of Heaven snow-covered
0.21

7.
SV Portrait of Mao over passageway over Tien An Min ???
0.22

8.
GV Tien An Min Square, people in snow (3 shots)
0.30

9.
GV People in tree lined avenue show-covered
0.37

10.
GV & SV People clearing snow in square (6 shots)
1.12

11.
GV Workers putting snow on barrow (2 shots)
1.17

12.
SV Man cycles away with load of snow
1.23

13.
SV Man going down stairs form temple in snow
1.31

14.
SV Man walking through snow-covered woods
1.38

15.
GV Pinewoods around snow-covered temple
1.41



Initials BB/2227 BE/PN/BB/2246



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: In The People's Republic of China, Peking's Temple of Heaven -- recently redecorated and restored by the government -- is traditionally the place where Chinese emperors once prayed each year for good harvests. Without winter snow the harvest crop is inevitably poor, because winter snow moistens the fields ready for spring sowing. This year the chances are that, with a blanket of snow covering the wholes of northern China, the crop will be a good one. Chinese farmers have been awaiting the first snow with unusual anxiety this year. North China has already suffered the drought which also hit the Soviet Union and many parts of southern Asia, including India. Typhoons also caused damage in the south. Overall crop yield this year is down by ten million tons, forcing China to purchase more abroad.

Although the first snow of the year is greeted with a sigh of relief by the farmers, the city folk have to carry out street-clearing assignments in freezing temperatures. Municipal workers, ordinary householders and members of the People's Liberation Army work together using bicycles and wheelbarrows to clear the snow from the streets and squares.

SYNOPSIS: In The People's Republic of China, Peking's Temple of Heaven is traditionally the place where Chinese Emperors prayed each year for good harvests. Without winter snow the Chinese harvest is inevitably poor. When it snows harvests are generally good. This is because the fields are moistened by a snowfall, preparing them for a spring snowing. The government, and the farmers, have been awaiting the snowfall with some anxiety this year. Northern Chine has already suffered the same drought which recently hit the Soviet Union and many ??? of southern Asia, including India. Typhoons caused extensive damage in the south, and overall crop yield is down by ten million tons this year -- causing China to purchase more abroad. This year, with a blanket of snow already covering northern china, the chances are that the harvest will be a good one.

Although the snow is greeted with a sigh of relief by the farmers, it's the city folk who have to carry out street clearing assignments. Using wheelbarrows and bicycles they work together clearing the streets and squares. In spite of the problems caused in the city, the Chinese People are happy about this year's snow.