China's first Antarctic inland research station, the Kunlun Station, officially began operation on February 2, 2009. The opening ceremony of the Kunlun Station was held simultaneously at China's Antarctic Zhongshan Station and Kunlun Station via satellite telephone at 9:25 AM local time, 12:25 PM Beijing time.

On behalf of the Chinese government, Chen Lianzeng, Head of the Chinese government delegation and Deputy Director General of the State Oceanic Administration, declared in the Antarctic Zhongshan Station that the Kunlun station opened on February 2. The first director of the Kunlun Station is Li Yuansheng, who is also head of the Inland Research Team, while Xia Limin and Li Shiming, deputy heads of the Inland Research Team, are the vice directors of the station.

(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2009)