A video capture from CCTV shows China's first commercial aircraft landing on the Antarctic on Dec 16, 2017. BEIJING -- China on Friday said it would regulate tourist trips to Antarctica to protect the fragile ecology. According to a guideline issued by the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), the hunting of wild animals, construction, entry into special conservation areas, collection of soil and rock samples, and bringing in hazardous materials will be banned. Tourists are supposed to take all solid waste away with them when they leave Antarctica or have it burned at designated facilities and take away the remains, according to the guideline. Violators should clear up any damage they cause and bear the cost of environmental restoration. China has witnessed a tourism boom to Antarctica. In 2017, the number of Chinese tourists to the continent grew to 5,300, from barely 100 in 2005. China is now ranked the second as a tourist source for Antarctica, after the United States. Chinese tourists are usually sent to a third country before joining Antarctica trips organized by foreign travel agencies. Antarctic travel is driving domestic tourism and related industries forward but remains insufficient in regulations, according to tourism experts. China's Great Wall research station on the continent is the most popular destination for domestic tourists. The station, with only 30 staff, receives more than 2,000 Chinese tourists each summer and is faced with mounting pressure to perform its regular tasks, and maintain its safety and environment. Visitors should have permissions from the SOA before going to the research station, and they need to inform the station 24 to 72 hours ahead of arrival. The station can cancel or adjust tourist visits according to its schedule, the guideline said. The guideline also requires people to gain approval from the SOA before collecting samples from Antarctica for scientific research. wristbands canadacustom word braceletcustom braceletscancer wristbandsrubber band bracelet charms
Military expects exam will improve skills, increase combat readinessMore than 200 major generals of the People's Liberation Army Ground Force simultaneously took part in a recent examination held across the nation, marking the Ground Force's first large-scale test of its high-ranking commanders.The examination was arranged by the Ground Force headquarters and was held earlier this month in seven locations - Beijing, Fuzhou, Nanning, Lanzhou, Jinan, Urumqi and Lhasa. The largest test site was at the Ground Force Academy of Armored Forces in Beijing with 52 examinees, according to a statement from the Ground Force.Experts from PLA National Defense University and inspectors from the Ground Force's disciplinary committee supervised the examination.Participants were mostly made up of major generals and some senior colonels - commanding officers from departments under the Ground Force headquarters, academies, schools, regional branches and training and test bases.The examination was designed to check and hone the generals' capabilities in organizing training and commanding their troops. The results will be taken into consideration when it comes to promotion or commendation, the statement said. It added that the Ground Force wanted to use this examination to strengthen the notion that commanding officers must take the lead in combat readiness training.Lu Chuangang, assistant to the Ground Force's chief of staff, said the examination's content included theory, strategy and command skills. Participants were given different tasks in different areas, and were told to analyze their respective situations, determine goals, make plans for troop deployment and develop combat schedules, according to Zhou Bingyi, director of the operations bureau of the Ground Force's staff department.Zhou said participants had already taken part in tests on firearm usage and physical strength hosted by their own units before the examination."The capabilities of these commanding officers determine whether their troops will be well trained," Zhou said. "We hope such examinations will help improve the competence of commanders and consequently boost the combat capabilities and preparedness of their units."Xie Zenggang, commander of the 83rd Group Army who took the examination, was quoted by China National Radio as saying that it had broadened his horizons and enabled him to gain a higher strategic perspective that can be used in planning future operations."It also reminded me of the necessity that as a commander, I not only need to take into consideration joint operations by various services in the PLA but also to think about joint campaigns with foreign militaries," he said.In June, the Ground Force organized a test for commanders of its 13 group armies - its largest combat units. Since the start of this year, the Ground Force has conducted a wide range of examinations for almost all of its members to verify their professional knowledge and skills. rubber wristbands for eventssiliconeband carainbow rubber band braceletssilicone bracelet manufacturercustom id bracelets<%2fcenter>
