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Published online 6 January 2009 | Nature | doi:10.1038/457134a
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China builds inland Antarctic base
Kunlun station to open later this month atop the frozen continent's oldest ice.
After a three-week crawl carrying 625 tonnes of cargo towards the highest ice in Antarctica, a Chinese expedition is expected this week to begin building a research base at Dome Argus, or 'Dome A', 4,093 metres above sea level. The station, called Kunlun and scheduled to open on 28 January, will gather data in fields ranging from global climate change to the origin of the Universe.
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This was an anticipated move from the Chinese, considering that apart from fundamental research opportunities the continent of Antarctica contains rich mineral deposits. Other Asian countries such as Japan and India already have permanent bases in Antarctica. India built its first scientific base, the Dakshin Gangotri in Antarctica in 1983. Later on another permanent station namely, Maitri was established by India in 1989. India is now in the process of setting up a third permanent base in Antarctica. Moreover, also in 2008 India commissioned its first permanent research base, the Himadri in the Arctic region as well. Dr. Upinder Fotadar
well done!