# Polar Research Institute of China

> Chinese research institute for the study of the Earth's polar regions

**Wikidata**: [Q30309](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q30309)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_Research_Institute_of_China)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/polar-research-institute-of-china

## Summary
The Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) is a Chinese research institute dedicated to the study of the Earth's polar regions. Founded on October 10, 1989, it operates under the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China and manages China's Antarctic and Arctic research stations.

## Key Facts
- Founded on October 10, 1989, originally as the Chinese Polar Research Institute
- Headquarters located in Shanghai
- Parent organization is the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China (since August 26, 2019)
- Previously operated under the State Oceanic Administration until August 26, 2019
- Member of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP)
- Operates multiple research stations including Great Wall Station, Zhongshan Station, Kunlun Station, Taishan Station, and Arctic Yellow River Station
- Manages research vessels Xue Long and Xue Long 2
- Official website: http://www.pric.org.cn/

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Polar Research Institute of China?
A: The Polar Research Institute of China is a Chinese research institute established in 1989 that studies the Earth's polar regions. It manages China's Antarctic and Arctic research stations and operates research vessels for polar expeditions.

### Q: Where is the Polar Research Institute of China located?
A: The Polar Research Institute of China is headquartered in Shanghai, China. It operates research stations in both Antarctica and the Arctic regions.

### Q: What research stations does the Polar Research Institute of China operate?
A: The Polar Research Institute of China operates several research stations including Great Wall Station, Zhongshan Station, Kunlun Station, Taishan Station in Antarctica, and Arctic Yellow River Station in the Arctic region.

## Why It Matters
The Polar Research Institute of China plays a crucial role in advancing China's scientific understanding of polar regions and their global significance. As one of the world's major polar research institutions, it contributes to international scientific knowledge about climate change, glaciology, marine biology, and atmospheric sciences in extreme environments. The institute's research helps inform global climate models and environmental policies, while also supporting China's strategic interests in polar regions. Through its network of research stations and vessels, PRIC enables year-round scientific observations and expeditions that would otherwise be impossible, making it an essential contributor to global polar research efforts and international scientific collaboration.

## Notable For
- Operates China's entire network of Antarctic and Arctic research stations
- Manages the Xue Long and Xue Long 2 research icebreakers, China's primary polar research vessels
- One of the few research institutions worldwide with year-round operations in both polar regions
- Key contributor to China's polar diplomacy and international scientific cooperation
- Maintains the highest Antarctic research station (Kunlun Station) at Dome A

## Body
### History and Organization
The Polar Research Institute of China was established on October 10, 1989, initially operating under the name "Chinese Polar Research Institute." In 2003, it was renamed to its current designation. The institute underwent a significant organizational change on August 26, 2019, when it transitioned from being under the State Oceanic Administration to becoming a direct subsidiary of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China.

### Research Infrastructure
PRIC operates an extensive network of research stations across polar regions. In Antarctica, it maintains five stations: Great Wall Station (established 1985), Zhongshan Station (established 1989), Kunlun Station (established 2009), Taishan Station (established 2014), and the planned yet-to-be-built station. In the Arctic, it operates the Arctic Yellow River Station in Svalbard, Norway. The institute also manages two icebreakers: Xue Long (Snow Dragon) and its successor Xue Long 2, which serve as mobile research platforms for polar expeditions.

### Scientific Focus and International Cooperation
The institute conducts research across multiple disciplines including glaciology, oceanography, atmospheric sciences, geology, and biology. As a member of COMNAP, PRIC participates in international polar research coordination and adheres to Antarctic Treaty System protocols. The institute facilitates international scientific collaboration through joint research projects, data sharing, and hosting visiting international scientists at its research stations. Its research contributes to understanding global climate change impacts, particularly in sensitive polar environments where changes are occurring most rapidly.

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-01-10
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [中国极地研究中心（中国极地研究所）-历史沿革](https://www.pric.org.cn/index.php?c=category&id=5)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [关于中心域名及邮箱地址更改的通知. 2014](http://www.pric.gov.cn/detail/Gg.aspx?id=0e59b354-a67d-43bc-b686-dc7e1a5ccab7)
6. [Source](https://figshare.com/articles/GRID_release_2015_12_14/2010108)
7. GRID Release 2016-12-06
8. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
9. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
10. HAL
11. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)