A Chinese expedition was expected to reach the top of Antarctica's Dome Argus ahead of schedule thanks to the team's early arrival at its intermediary destination on Tuesday.

Inland team leader Li Yuansheng said the advance of the expedition had been delayed because the traction force of its vehicles was seriously slowed in Antarctica's mild zone.

However, the team managed to lighten its load and make traveling easier by leaving some sleds behind to be picked up later.

The team, now about 3,000 meters above sea level, made camp late on Tuesday.

The team had originally planned to reach Dome Argus after a 20-day march of about 1,300 km. The expedition now is expected to arrive at the top of Dome Argus ahead of schedule said Qin Weijia, the team's deputy leader.

(Xinhua News Agency January 1, 2009)