Chinese Antarctic expeditions, together with other countries' scientists and researchers, have made achievements of great scientific value and expanded human knowledge about the South Pole.

Chinese President Hu Jintao made the remark in a congratulatory message sent to the China Antarctic Great Wall Station and Zhongshan Station on Monday, which is the Midwinter Day for Antarctica.

The Great Wall Station was opened on King George Island in 1985, and in 1988, China's first east Antarctica expedition set out on its long journey and established the China Antarctic Zhongshan Station.

Scientific findings have proved that Antarctica is deeply connected with human society in terms of global climate, ecological environment and mankind's future, Hu said in the message.

Despite strong winds and snowstorms, scientists from different countries persistently conduct scientific research and keep making new progress, which shows human perseverance in exploring the unknown world, Hu said, expressing his hope that more contributions will be made in peaceful exploitation of the South Pole.

In 1983, China acceded to the Antarctic Treaty. In 1986, it was admitted as a formal member of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and has been actively working at drawing up international Antarctic cooperative research programs.