China Expands Research Bases in Antarctica

(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) China is expanding its presence at the South Pole, with construction workers leaving its Zhongshan Station last Wednesday to build the Taishan summer field camp, the country's fourth Antarctic base. Site inspections for another research station will also be carried out at Antarctica's Victoria Land during a 155-day expedition launched on Nov 7. It is China's 30th mission to the continent since 1984. The Taishan camp will be used from December to March and construction of the main building is expected to be completed next year. Construction will take about 40 days.