The reporter recently joined the Chinese government delegation on a visit to the research stations of Norway, Germany, Britain and Japan and found that although China's polar expedition has made many achievements during the last 20 years improvement is still possible in aspects such as management and scientific research level, and that China's polar scientific expedition, which stepped into its 20th year, is at a historical juncture.

As an international arctic research base Ny-Alesund is like an international arena of polar sciences. For some countries which have engaged in arctic scientific expedition for decades China is undoubtedly a "newcomer" to this arena.

Among the other seven countries' research stations at Ny-Alesund that of Germany is generally acknowledged to be the best. The laser radar there is one of excellence. A laser radar can enter green laser into the ionosphere and collect the feedback of particles from which the material components of atmosphere can be studied. Advanced instrument furnishes German scientists with a relatively advantageous starting point.

Compared with these stations China's Yellow River Station, though already had its first team stationed there and began basic surveying, is still in a state in which it has no "vehicles and ships". The maneuverability of scientific research has not yet been established yet. Compared with other stations which have fully stored warehouses and equipment China's station looks somewhat empty.

Professor Sun Liguang with the University of Science and Technology of China said China's scientific research must follow another path, that is, a multi-disciplinary path. Otherwise it would be like echoing what others have said, how can we outdo others. At the symposium for the expedition scientists and government delegation scientists opined that on the one hand there is not enough equipment. On the other the tendency of relying too much on equipment and belittling scientific research needs to change. In the past the Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Science and Technology all supported polar scientific expedition with research funds which are no longer available now.

Professor E Dongchen with the Wuhan University, a witness of China's polar scientific expedition undertaking, suggested that a polar scientific expedition academic committee be established so that leading experts from various circles could frame a unified polar expedition plan and establish a middle and long term plan, which become a real component of national scientific and technological development.

Polar sciences are a big department of science. Various domestic departments and units should further expand alliance and change the current situation of each acting on its own will. The reporter found that Professor E Dongchen has established two satellite tracking stations respectively in the Antarctic, but has not been able to use them in fields such as space monitoring. "Of course I hope to ally with other departments. I tried several times but have had no response from them!" Moreover, Wang Shuguang, director-general of State Oceanic Administration, believes that in terms of operation China needs to continue to explore new modes. The professional development of stationmaster must accelerate its pace.

(People's Daily August 3, 2004)