Chinese researchers and mountaineers on a mission to remeasure the Earth's highest point have had to postpone their ascent of Mount Qomolangma (Mount Everest) to the weekend because of bad weather, a director of the expedition said on Tuesday.

The summit attempt of the mountain, which straddles the border of China and Nepal, was initially scheduled for May 5, but has been repeatedly hampered by wretched weather conditions.

The peak, which according to China's first measurement in 1975 stands at 8,848.13 meters above sea level, has been hit by heavy snowfall and strong winds since early May, which mountaineering experts said is rare.

They predict that weather conditions might improve after May 20.

The climb is part of China's scientific research program on Mount Qomolangma, which was launched in March.

The climbers left base camp at 5,300 meters last week and are now at a camp at 6,500 meters.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2005)