Lying in the Northern Hemisphere, China is one of the important non-artic countries that are nearest to the North Pole. However, the country has little knowledge and understanding of the North Pole.
In order to strengthen China's survey and research into this area in aspects of politics, economy, resources, science etc, raise the Chinese influence in the international Artic affairs and safeguard China's rights and interests, the Chinese Artic scientific survey team organized by the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) will set off by the Surveying Vessel "Snow Dragon" on July 15. The team will build the first national scientific survey station on Svalbard island this September, coupled with the preliminary establishment of China's comprehensive observation system at the North Pole in an effort to provide first-hand information for the Artic scientific research.
With the "Snow Dragon" ship as its supporting platform while helicopters & dinghies to extend the observation scope, this scientific investigation team will carry out three-dimensional comprehensive observation around sea waters such as Bering sea and Chukchi Sea. Meanwhile, the team will throw in satellite tracking buoys plus oceanic buoys and make observation with the utilization of underwater scubas.
As learned, another 16 foreign scientists from the US, Canada, Japan, Finland etc will participate in the impending surveying work.
(Xinhua News Agency July 11, 2003)
