Bangkok - A team of 30 Chinese and Thai scientists have launched a two-year joint research programme to study the impact of climate change on the monsoon variability - the annual rains that are key to regional rice production, media reports said Wednesday.

The joint research programme will investigate variability of the monsoon in the Indian Ocean and China and its likely impact on rice- growing in China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, The Nation newspaper reported.

It will also create regional climate modelling and research the carbon cycle in the region.

"This information will show us what we have to do if we encounter big problems that might occur in the future in Thailand and China," said Amnat Chidthasong, who heads the Thailand Research Fund's climate change programme.

The joint Sino-Thai monsoon research was the outcome of a meeting titled The First China-Thailand Joint Seminar on Climate Change, held in Bangkok on Monday and Tuesday.

The seminar gathered about 100 scientists and climate experts from China, India and Thailand. (dpa)