A team of 12 Chinese scientists headed for the Arctic research station Monday 19 July. A week later, a group of government officials and journalists followed the research team. Mr. Wang Shuguang, Director of the State Oceanic Administration and head of the Chinese delegation, officially opened the station. Representatives of Norwegian authorities were also present at the opening ceremony.
Yang Huigen, deputy head of China Polar Research Arctic Centre in Shanghai, has been appointed director of the 7 million Yuan station, which is expected to have operational costs of more than 6 million Yuan per year, according to China Daily. The newspaper says the station will focus on oceanography, meteorology, space physics, geology and biology research. Yang says to China Daily that the international atmosphere in Ny-Alesund will help Chinese scientists make 'fast progress' in Arctic research. 'We are looking forward to friendly and productive co-operation with foreign scientists in the area', he said.