HONG KONG, April 18 (AFP) - Chinese experts have suggested diverting a river from Tibet into China's arid northwestern region, it was reported here Friday.

A group of Chinese experts on hydrology, geology and environment have proposed diverting a tributary of the Yaluzangbo river in Tibet 800 kilometers (496 miles) into the arid northwestern region and the upper reaches of Yellow River, the China-funded Ta Kung Pao said in a report published here.

The ambitious project, which was first discussed three years ago, would include digging a 30-kilometer (18.6-mile) tunnel and a hydroelectric dam, twice as large as the Three Gorges dam currently being constructed on China's Yangtze River, the report said.

The diversion would provide 40 billion cubic meters (14 billion cubic feet) of water each year to arid regions in Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Ningjia and Shaanxi, which now account for only seven percent of the country's gross national product.

Experts were quoted as saying the diversion could turn green the barren plateau on the upper reaches of Yellow River.

A State Planning Commission official was quoted as saying the huge project would also help feed the world's most populated country.

He said the proposals could also prevent the annual floodings in the lower reaches of the river in India and Bangladesh.

The Three Gorges hydro-electric scheme is the world's largest, involving the displacement of 1.2 million people to make way for a 632-square kilometre (253-square mile) water reservoir.

Slated for completion in 2009, construction of the Three Gorges Dam began in 1993 and the first generators are expected to come on line in 2003.

Environmentalists have warned that the flooding of some 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of land and the resettlement of more than one million people could result in an ecological and sociological disaster.