Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan hailed China's achievements in polar exploration and called for scientists to contribute more to the "peaceful exploitation" of the polar areas, at the State Oceanic Administration Sunday morning.

Zeng extended greetings on behalf of the central authority, the State Council and all people in China to China's polar expedition members via a satellite phone call during the visit just a few days before the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Zeng heard reports by heads of the administration's Antarctic research team, the polar expedition ship Xuelong, the Changcheng and Zhongshan stations in Antarctica and Huanghe Station in the Arctic Ocean.

"China has made great progress in exploration of the polar area in the past year thanks to the extraordinary efforts made by expedition members," Zeng said.

In the past two decades, the country has successfully sent 20 expeditions to the Antarctica and two to the Arctic Ocean and set up its first station in the Arctic last year. A 12-man Chinese expedition scaled the highest icecap peak in the Antarctica on Jan.18 this year.

Zeng called on the experts and staff in the area to use the "scientific concept of development" to further enhance research capacity and to "achieve new glory."

He also extended his gratitude to the families ofthe polar research teams members for their indispensable support.

(Xinhua News Agency February 7, 2005)