(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-01-18 07:36

China has taken a solid step forward in its endeavors to become a major power in polar scientific expeditions, says an editorial of Xinhua News Agency. The following is an excerpt:

A Chinese team reached the Antarctic icecap peak on Saturday for only the second time in both Chinese and human history. The 17-member team successfully scaled Dome A, the highest point on the continent at 4,093 m above sea level, after a grueling 21-day journey, a tremendous feat.

On January 18, 2005, China's 21st expedition team reached Dome A for the first time and obtained some valuable observational data and samples of snow and ice, filling a gap in international Antarctic expeditions in the area and enriching human knowledge about the mysterious icecap.

The United States, France and the former Soviet Union had set up stations on other key points of the continent, but all left Dome A untouched.

The latest successful scaling of the Antarctic icecap peak will no doubt help narrow China's gap with those countries in this field and represents a solid step forward in China's endeavors to become a major power in polar scientific expeditions.

Carrying out scientific research in the South Pole has been a strategic decision which has a direct bearing on the long-term interests of the Chinese nation. While China came late on the stage of international Antarctic expeditions, it has conducted expeditions on an annual basis since its first in 1984.

As a result of more than 20 years of unremitting efforts, China is catching up by having established a professional support system and a scientific platform for Antarctic expeditions, including "one vessel, two stations and one institute", namely the vessel "Xuelong", or Snow Dragon, the Changcheng and Zhongshan stations and the Polar Research Institute of China.

As the planet's largest "icehouse", the Antarctic icecap accounts for 70 percent of the Earth's freshwater resources and serves as an important place for mankind to do research on global climate change.

The coldest areas on the continent lie in several high-altitude places on the icecap. The icecap has an average thickness of about 2,450 m and more than 4,000 m in certain spots.

Dome A, where the icecap is 1,950 m deep, is not only the highest point, but also the internationally recognized commanding heights of scientific research on Antarctica.

The continent is regarded as a large stage on which many countries strive to display their overall national strength, and a scientific front for expeditioners from various countries to show their national spirit.

Since 1996, China has sent a total of 65 scientists in six batches into the heart of the continent. The Chinese scientists have carried forward the spirit of patriotism, and hard struggle, seeking truth and blazing new trails during their missions.

(China Daily 01/18/2008 page8)