China’s Antarctic expeditions have made contributions of great
scientific value and have expanded human knowledge about the South
Pole. President Hu Jintao made the remark in a congratulatory
message sent to the China Antarctic Great Wall Station and
Zhongshan Station on Monday, the day of the winter solstice in the
southern hemisphere.
The Great Wall Station was opened on King George Island in 1985.
In 1988, China’s first east Antarctica expedition set out on a long
journey that ended with the establishment of the China Antarctic
Zhongshan Station.
Hu said that science has shown us that Antarctica is closely
connected with humanity in terms of global climate, ecology and the
future of mankind.
Despite strong winds and snowstorms, scientists from various
countries have persisted with their research and continued to make
progress. This demonstrates human perseverance in exploring the
unknown, Hu said. He looks forward to more contributions in the
peaceful exploitation of the South Pole.
In 1983, China acceded to the Antarctic Treaty. In 1986, it was
admitted as a formal member of the Scientific Committee on
Antarctic Research and has been actively planning international
Antarctic cooperative research programs.
(Xinhua News Agency June 22, 2004)