Twenty two Chinese mountaineers Wednesday morning left the base camp of Mount Qomolangma, starting their ascent of the earth's summit.

The delayed ascent, originally scheduled on May 5, is aimed to re-measure the peak of the world, which is 8,848.13 meters according to China's first measurement in 1975.

The peak that straddles the border between China and Nepal is respected as "Mother Goddess" by Tibetans. It is known to westerners as Mount Everest.

The mountaineers will stay at a camp at 6,500 meters above sea level for acclimation for a few days before they start an assault prior to May 20, a director of the survey said.

An earlier ascent attempt was hampered by bad weather late last month, after which climbers retreated to the base camp at 5,300 meters.

Another team of mountaineers will start their ascent later, the director said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2005)