State-owned carmaker BAIC is giving its hand to facilitate a multi-disciplinary field study that aims to explore the Hotan section of the Kunlun Mountains in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

The event, which kicked off on Sunday and will run through Sept 17, is organized by Xinjiang Hetian College and the Hotan bureau of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports.

A fleet of 13 BAIC vehicles will drive researchers throughout seven counties and one city in Hotan in the field study.

BAIC said the BJ40 off-roaders and the Foton pickups are suitable choices to ensure reliable and safe trips for researchers involved in the field study considering the harsh natural and road conditions in the region.

The study will see researchers visit relevant cultural and natural sites and explore such topics as jade culture and Buddhist culture in the region, said the organizers.

BAIC and local authorities in Hotan inked a deal of strategic cooperation in April this year.

According to the deal, the two sides will conduct comprehensive and deep cooperation in such aspects as green mines, green and smart transportation as well as green circular economy to boost Hotan's social and economic development.