CRI NEWS

China to Build Research Station in Inland Antarctica

2004-9-28 16:05:52 CRIENGLISH.com

To expand Antarctic exploration and research, China plans to build a research station in inland South Pole in the next few years. A scientific expedition to the area next month aims to find a site for the station.

As preparation to build a permanent research station in inland Antarctica, a project planned for the next five years, a team of Chinese scientists will make a trip of 1,300 kilometres inland of the Antarctica to Dome A, the continent's highest icecap, 4,300 metres above sea level.

Wei Wenliang is a senior official in charge of polar exploration at the State Oceanic Administration.

"The five-month journey will start in Shanghai next month. The major goal is to climb the highest icecap of the South Pole, the Dome A, which has an advantageous position for research on climatic change over the centuries. The scientists will try to find an ideal location for the new Antarctic research station on the icecap."

He says if the expedition is successful, China will be the first country to enter the area by land. Scientists will collect ice samples and conduct experiments on the peak of Dome A to make preliminary preparation for building the new research station by 2010.

China already has two permanent research bases in the South Polar region, the Great Wall and the Zhongshan stations established in the 1980s.

Wei Wenliang says this new site is unique as it is based in the inland of Antarctica.

"The new station will provide an important platform for the research on ancient climate and further exploration in inland south polar areas."

He says China is now in an advanced position in the world in terms of polar exploration. Chinese scientists are pioneering studies into polar research.

Na Lan, CRI News.

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