China plans more Antarctica research sites

BEIJING, April 1 (UPI) -- China says it plans to create two new scientific research stations in Antarctica and have them operational by 2015.

An expedition team is conducting inspections of possible sites, China's State Oceanic Administration said.

One of the new stations will be a summer facility that can be used from December to March, and will be set up between the existing Zhongshan and Kunlun Stations, China's official Xinhua News Agency reported.

The two existing stations would provide replenishment and other logistical support for the new site, officials said. It will be used to study geology, glaciers, geomagnetism and atmospheric science in Antarctica, the SOA said.

A year-round station will be built in Victoria Land in Antarctica by 2015 to allow researchers to carry out research on bio-ecology and satellite remote sensing, officials said.

China's three existing Antarctica research stations are the Zhongshan and Kunlun stations and the Great Wall station.