China Decides to Develop Petroleum Industry in Its Northeastern Area on Feb 20, 1960

Wang Jinxi, a model of the people who devoted themselves to petroleum industry development in Northeast China's Songliao area [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

China decides to develop petroleum industry in its Northeastern area on Feb 20, 1960

A report on petroleum exploitation and future work deployment in Northeast China's Songliao Plain was approved by the central government on Feb 20, 1960, marking the start of petroleum development in the region.

After the approval, 37 factories and mines as well as staff members from the State Council departments and retired soldiers migrated to the area to become the core strength of China's petroleum industry.

An 860 sq km super large oil field was explored within three and a half years with the devotion of those early pioneers. The oil field was able to produce five million tons of crude annually.

The oil field brought China's petroleum industry into a new era.

China completes its first Antarctic station – the Great Wall Station – on Feb 20, 1985

The Great Wall Station, the first Chinese Antarctic station, was built on Feb 20, 1985.

That same year the station was selected into the global meteorological observatory network and was given an international code by the World Meteorological Organization.

Built by several units including China Railway Group Limited (CREC) and China Baowu Steel Group Corporation Limited and situated at King George Island alongside the Antarctic Peninsula, the station was a new start in China’s Antarctic scientific research and promoted international scientific and technological exchange and cooperation as well as the peaceful use of Antarctic resources.

(Executive editor: Wang Ruoting)