China has kicked off renovation of its two research stations on the Antarctic, and is planning on a third permanent research base on the continent, according to China's Polar Research Institute.

Qin Weijia, deputy director of the institute, said the renovation had started on the Changcheng (Great Wall) station, which was built in 1985 on King George Island.

The renovation, which is to cost more than 100 million yuan (13 million U.S. dollars), is scheduled to be finished by the end of this year.

Qin said the facilities at the station had become outdated and some cement and steel structures had been eroded by underground water. "Some floors have cracked and crumbled, and become very dangerous," he said.

The new facilities will save more energy and be more environmentally-friendly than the old ones, Qin said, adding that they plan to build a new research building and waste and sewage treatment centers.

Work will also begin on the Zhongshan station soon, which was built in 1989 on the Larsemann Hills.

According to the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), the third station will be built at Dome-A, the highest point on the continent at 4,093 meters above sea level. It is expected to be completed before 2010.

China launched its first expedition to the Antarctic in 1984 and the Chinese scientists have carried out 22 scientific expeditions to the South Pole.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2007)