China opens 4th Antarctic research base
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E-mail Xinhua, February 9, 2014
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| Taishan station is located between Zhongshan and Kunlun stations at an altitude of 2,600 meters. It can accommodate up to 20 people during the Antarctic summer, and is equipped with a runway for fixed-wing aircraft, specially designed for snow and ice. [Photo/Xinhua] |
"The temperature inside Taishan station can reach 20 degrees Celsius with the help of power generation equipment, which enables people to cook and take showers," Qu said.
It also has oil storage installations and equipment to support a 400-tonne inland transportation vehicle team.
Qu said construction of its main building has been completed, but conditions are not yet suitable for people to live there.
According to the SOA, the station was built by the team of China's 30th Antarctic scientific expedition mission. It took a 28-strong crew 53 days to build the station.
Taishan station, which will be used in summers, is expected to be in service for the next 15 years.
"We will build another research station near the Ross Sea, close to the South Pole, which can be used all year round," Qu said.
China's first Antarctic expedition in 1984 was the first step toward establishing the four research centers on the continent -- Great Wall, Zhongshan, Kunlun, and now Taishan. The first station, Great Wall, opened in 1985.
Noting that China's polar explorations still lag behind developed countries, Qu said the number of American people undertaking polar research in one year outstripped China's total number that have been conducting such research over the past 30 years.
China's leadership outlined the country's "maritime power" strategy at the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in late 2012, calling for increased capacity for exploiting marine resources, protecting the marine environment and safeguarding the country's maritime rights and interests.
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