The Ny-Alesund Science Managers Committee (NySMAC), known as the "United Nations of Arctic studies", welcomes China's accession, said Guido di Prisco, the president of NySMAC.

"The NySMAC was established in 1994 to enhance cooperation and coordination amongst research activities at the Ny-Alesund International Arctic Research and Monitoring Facility," said Prisco in the Seventh Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW2005).

"We accept China as the new member of NySMAC," said Prisco, "because it has become one of the most important partners of Arctic studies."

Running through April 17 to 24, the ASSW, which has attracted over 100 scientists from 22 countries, will be centered around "Arctic studies and its relations to China's climate."

"Our committee regularly convenes international scientific seminars and workshops focusing on topics related to research carried out in the Arctic area," said Prisco. "So far such countries as Norway, Germany, Japan, France, Italy and China have established laboratories in Ny-Alesund area."

Wang Shuguang, the director of China National Bureau of Oceanography (NBO) said that "China lies mainly in the Northern Hemisphere with its complicated natural and environmental variations and the Arctic region will directly affect China in such areas as ocean, climate, ecological conditions and economy."

China began its research in the Arctic area in the 1990s and carried out two scientific observations in the Arctic area in 1999 and 2003. In 2004, China established its Yellow River observation site in Norway.

Thomas Pyle, the president of The Arctic Ocean Science Board (AOSB) marked China's role in research and exploration of the Arctic area as "increasingly important", saying that "we'd like to broaden the cooperation with China on Arctic research."

The ASSW was established in 1999 and is held annually to discuss and exchange the latest findings in Arctic area and to explore the possibilities of international cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency April 20, 2005)