China's expedition team to the North Pole has decided to locate China's first Arctic Scientific Research Station in Longyearbyen, capital of the Svalbard Islands.

This was announced Wednesday by Gao Dengyi, director of the China Yilite-Mornring Arctic Scientific Expedition and Research Team.

The team held a solemn flag-raising ceremony here today. In the forceful rhythm of the "March of the Volunteers," the National Anthem, China's five-star red flag was raised at the North Pole.

"From now on, Chinese scientists conducting Arctic studies will be able to carry out research at our country's research station at the North Pole, which is a matter of great significance in the Chinese history of Arctic study," said Gao.

Witnessing the ceremony, Lasse Lonnum, director of the University of Courses on Svalbard in Norway, offered congratulations on China's designation of the site. He wished to improve the cooperation between Chinese and Norwegian scientists in the Arctic study.

Since the Chinese expedition team arrived at the islands on October 19, it has made investigations and comparisons to choose the most ideal place to set up the station.

The station will serve as a three-year monitoring, boarding and telecommunications station for Chinese scientists engaged in long-term research on the climate, environment, glaciers and biology in the Arctic region.

The expedition team is expected to return to Beijing on November 2.

(Xinhua News Agency October 31, 2001)