China reveals team buildup for third arctic expedition

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-07-11 00:14

SHANGHAI -- A total of 121 team members step onto the the ship "Snow Dragon" here on Thursday afternoon, all ready to take their leave for China's third scientific exploration in the north pole.

The team include 60 researchers, 39 seamen and 22 logistic staff and journalists. Among the researchers, 11 come from the United States, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Finland, France and other foreign countries.

The 49 domestic scientists come from Ocean University of China, Xiamen University, the State Oceanic Administration, the Polar Research Institute among others. Many of them are of the "post-80's generation".

"One of the main features of this team is young and of high quality," said Qu Tanzhou, an official with the State Oceaning Administration. The average age of the team is 35.7 and the youngest member is only 19.

And the team has 11 female members -- the most since the first exploration.

"Snow Dragon", the carrier for China's third Arctic expedition, will leave here on Friday as it carries out a mission to observe polar changes and their effects on the country's climate and environment.

The ship is now waiting for its 75-day journey to and from the Arctic at Waigaoqiao dock in Shanghai, the base of China's polar research program.

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