China removes declared drought-hit wheat areas

China's Ministry of Agriculture removed a state of emergency it had declared over drought-hit wheat growing areas in the country's north as weather conditions improved following the recent rains.

The rain, coupled with drought relief measures initiated by the government, has reduced the severity of the drought by 80 percent, said the ministry in a statement published on its Web site late Monday (March 2).

China's spring planting will start soon from the south and move north.