China is hoping to improve its advantageous position in scientific research in the Antarctica by launching a new expedition to the remote region.

A press release provided by the Office for Polar Expedition with the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), said that Chinese scientists will complete a range of tasks in a new expedition to Grove Mountains in Antarctica.

These tasks to be finished in the expedition plan, also known as "Grove Plan", which was launched on Tuesday, will include collection of meteorites, geological surveys, mapping, research on the evolution of the icecap, the installation of an automatic meteorological station and the construction of a sanctuary in the Grove Mountains.

The Grove Mountains are 460 km away from China's Zhongshan Station in Antarctica.

(Xinhua News Agency July 28, 2005)