More than 260 people will board the Snow Dragon for China's 26th Antarctic exploration in early October, the State Oceanic Administration said yesterday.

The scientific expedition team will begin its voyage on October 11 and plans to return on April 10 next year.

Wei Wenliang, an official for polar expedition affairs with the State Oceanic Administration, said the trip would be the longest in the country's polar expedition history with the largest number of researchers on board.

Scientists will carry out research at the Changcheng and Zhongshan stations and continue work on building a third station, Kunlun at Dome Argus, the pole's highest icecap, 4,093 meters above the sea level.

In addition, the team will carry out geological and biological research.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2009)