China signs six polar research agreements

Memorandums of understanding aimed at enhancing cooperation between the State Oceanic Administration and six foreign polar research organizations were signed on Thursday night.

Parties to the agreements included the Norwegian Polar Institute, Argentina's National Directorate of the Antarctic and Russia's Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, according to a news release from the administration.

It said the memorandums pertain to a wide range of fields such as on-scene inspections, scientific study, logistical support, and personnel and technical exchanges.

China highly values international cooperation in polar exploration and research and has signed collaboration agreements with more than 10 nations in this regard, the administration noted.

The signing ceremony took place amid the ongoing 40th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting that is being held in Beijing until June 1.

About 400 delegates from 42 countries and 10 international organizations are taking part in the meeting, which is an annual decision-making mechanism established under the Antarctic Treaty. This is the first time China has hosted the consultative meeting.