On Feb. 15, 1985, China's first Antarctic research station, the Great Wall Station, was opened on the Fildes Peninsula of King George Island in west Antarctica. An inauguration ceremony was held five days later.

In the early 1980s, 18 countries had established more than 40 scientific research centers in Antarctica. Among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, China was the only nation without the right to vote in Antarctic affairs.

On Nov. 20, 1984, the country dispatched its first Antarctic research expedition team. After a 40-day voyage, the 591-member team arrived in the Antarctic on Dec. 30. Braving the wind and snow, the team worked around the clock and set a record by establishing a permanent station in just 27 days.

Shortly after the founding of the Great Wall Station, China gained consultative status under the Antarctic Treaty at the 13th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting in October 1985. Since then, it has enjoyed the right to vote in affairs relating to the Antarctic.

By the end of 2020, China had sent 37 expedition teams to Antarctica, and established four scientific research stations there.