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Antarctica Research Team Arrives in Argentina

2005-1-8 15:13:17 CRIENGLISH.com

Members of the Chinese Antarctica research team aboard the polar expedition ship Xuelong have arrived in Argentina after completing an assignment at a polar research station.

Under the plan, Xuelong and its crew will stay in Ushuaia, southern Argentina, for three days to restock supplies and then return to Zhongshan Station, one of the two Chinese Antarctic research facilities.

Head of the research team Zhang Zhanhai says this is the 21st expedition by Chinese scientists' to Antarctica, and holds great significance as they plan to climb to the summit of Dome A, the highest point on the ice-covered continent.

One of the expedition's major tasks is to make preparations for the selection of a location for China's third research station in Antarctica.

The research team has completed most of its tasks since leaving China on October 25th, 2004 for a 150-day expedition. The ship is expected to return to China in March.

Since China inaugurated its first Antarctic research station, Changcheng (the Great Wall), about two decades ago, the country has launched a South Pole expedition every year.

During the past 20 years, China has invested a total of 900 million yuan (about 110 million US dollars) in South Pole research and made significant findings in the study of polar climate and weather, glaciers, bio-resources, oceanic chemistry and physics. However, research on polar aerolite has been particularly successful, and China reached a similar level to the United States and Japan.

Currently, 47 countries have signed the Antarctic Treaty and 28 have set up research stations on Antarctica. Countries that want to build research stations in the region must pass strict environmental protection checks.

(Photo Source:Xinhua)

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