Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan on Wednesday made pre-Spring Festival phone calls to Chinese scientists working in the polar regions and those who embarked on the scientific research vessel "Dayang Yihao", currently roaming the Indian Ocean.

Zeng made the calls during a visit to the State Oceanic Administration and urged the scientists to work hard to make China a "leading international player in oceanic affairs".

Zeng said it was important to explore oceanic energy, develop oceanic economy and protect oceanic ecology.

The vice premier specifically mentioned the importance of building a third station at the South Pole and the establishment of the country's first deep sea research base.

China founded its first scientific expedition station, Changcheng Station on King George Island in 1985, and established its second, Zhongshan Station on Larsemann Hills, in 1989. The third station at the South Pole is expected to be set up at the hinterland of the Antarctica.

The scientific research ship "Dayang Yihao" ("Ocean No. 1") set off from China in January this year. Researchers will monitor and map the ocean floor for deep-sea mining operations and conduct deep-sea biological research. The research will cover the southwestern part of the Indian Ocean, the southwest Pacific Ocean and the western part of the Pacific Ocean.

(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2007)