China to build more Antarctic stations by 2015

BEIJING - China is planning to build two new research stations in Antarctica by 2015 and site inspections are already being conducted by an expedition team, the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) said Thursday.

A summer station that can be used from December to March will be set up between the existing Zhongshan and Kunlun Stations to provide replenishment and other logistical support, the SOA said.

The station will be used to study geology, glaciers, geomagnetism and atmospheric science in Antarctica.

A perennial station will also be built in Victoria Land in Antarctica by 2015. The station will allow researchers to carry out multi-disciplinary research on bio-ecology and satellite remote sensing, according to the SOA.

China's three existing Antarctic research stations are the Great Wall, Zhongshan and Kunlun stations.