China has successfully cloned both Zhangmu cattle and Apeijiaza cattle, two endangered breeds found in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, scientists announced Monday, Xinhua reported.

Four male calves of each breed were recently born in Yunyang County, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, marking the world's first successful cloning of cattle from Xizang.

"This is the world's first successful cloning of Tibetan breeds of cattle," the publication noted.

Small herds of these breeds are kept in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau at an altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level.

Earlier, the Chinese media reported on the cloning of a highly productive Holstein cow, which can produce 18 tons of milk per year.