Thousands of scientists from 50 countries will kick off a joint exploration on polar regions from March 2007 to find out possible relevance between changes occurring in polar regions and global climate.

The International Polar Year (IPY), co-sponsored by World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and International Council for Science (ICSU) has attracted more than 1000 research proposals, according to Dr. David Carlson, director of IPY international program office, who was in Suzhou of east China to attend the 28th General Assembly of International Council for Science.

More than 70 projects of 50 countries have been confirmed by ICSU, at least 25 of which will involve Chinese scientists, Carlson told Xinhua, "Chinese scientists are essential participators and cooperators in exploring polar regions."

"If we want to take polar research to the next level, for example, understanding the implications of melting ice caps for ocean circulation, for different societies and economies, and how human activities contribute to these changes, we need scientists working across disciplines and international boundaries," Carlson said.

Shen Aimin, associate professor of China Association For Science and Technology (CAST) said polar regions are a barometer of global climate and environmental changes.

A special committee promoting IPY has been established in China to encourage Chinese scientists participation, Shen said, China will explore both poles within IPY's projects.

Further research of the regions would help people spell out the deep-seated causes of such disasters as hurricanes and tsunamis devastating Asian and pacific areas, he said.

Also the unique natural environment of polar regions could provide impossible conditions in mid and low latitudes for scientists to probe into studies on earth's core as well as observation on the sun and outer space, Shen added.

A Chinese polar vessel will begin her next arctic trip from Shanghai, which is expected to arrive at the Chinese first arctic exploration station and carry out researches on arctic climate, ocean and glacier. The Chinese scientists will also share and exchange data with international cooperators.

The Chinese participation to IPY also includes the exploration on Antarctic ice cap which has already been launched since the beginning of this year. The Chinese scientists will take the exploration every other year until 2010.

China established its first Antarctic exploration station in February 1985. A Chinese exploring team successfully set steps onto Dome A of the South Pole on January 9 this year and build up the first man-made automatic aerograph there.

The IPY is the second international joint exploration on polar regions sponsored by ICSU since the last one in 1957. The IPY will focus on residents, atmosphere, ocean and space of polar regions from March 2007 to March 2009.

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2005)