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)