2024 marks the 40th anniversary of China’s polar expeditions. Over the past 40 years, China has launched five stations and two research vessels for Antarctic research, entering an era of three-dimensional development across sea, land and air. In 1983, China became participant in the international governance of Antarctica when they acceded to the Antarctic Treaty. In October 1985, China became a consultative party to the Antarctic Treaty, obtaining decision-making status in international polar affairs. China currently maintains four Antarctic research stations in four different locations. The primary station named ‘The Great Wall’ is located on King George Island, the Zhongshan Station in the Larsemann Hills, the Kunlun Station and Taishan Station in Antarctica’s inland region, and the Qinling Station in the Ross Sea area. The region where the Great Wall Station is located is suitable for sub-antarctic ecological monitoring and research. The Zhongshan Station is an ideal place to observe and study the evolution of the Antarctic ice sheet and the interactions between the ice shelf and the ocean. It is also an excellent location for research in aerophysics, geology, geophysics and other disciplines.
The gold and silver proof and colour coins are produced at the Shenzhen Guobao Mint Company Ltd. at their facilities in Guangdong and on behalf of the People’s Bank of China.
10 Yuan – silver. Designed by graphic artist Li Zhenkai, the obverse side includes a depiction of the Xuelong 2 polar research ship sailing in the Arctic Sea, along with the polar research team at work retrieving a sample of ice core positioned to the right half. Seen on the left is a polar bear and two cubs in front of a partial Arctic map outline and the location of China’s two Arctic research stations. Above the primary design is a representation of the aurora borealis applied in colour and the inscription 中 国 极 地 科 学 考 察 40 周 年 (China’s Polar Scientific Expedition 40th Anniversary). The denomination 10 元 (yuan) is shown to the lower left.
100 Yuan – gold. Designed by graphic artist He Chun, the obverse side depicts a scene of a family of Penguins shown to the left half along with the “Snow Dragon” polar research ship to the right. Also shown in the background are both a partial Antarctic map outline and the locations of China’s five Antarctic research stations. A polar fixed-wing aircraft is depicted in the air above the Snow Dragon. The inscription 中 国 极 地 科 学 考 察 40 周 年 (The 40th Anniversary of China’s First Polar Expedition) is placed along the upper rim above the primary design. The denomination 100 元 (yuan) is shown to the right above the Snow Dragon.
The reverse side on both gold and silver coins features the National Emblem of the People’s Republic of China. The country’s name is placed over the emblem in Chinese characters 中 华 人 民 共 和 国 (People’s Republic of China) and the year of issue 2024 shown below.
| Denomination | Metal | Weight | Diameter | Quality | Mintage Limit |
| 20 Francs | 999.9 Silver | 20 g. | 33 mm. | BU | 11,000 |
| 100 yuan | 99.9 Gold | 8 g. | 22 mm. | Proof & Colour | 10,000 |
Available from the 17th April, each silver and gold coin is available as an individual purchase and is distributed by the China Gold Coin Corporation. For details of these and other coins released by the People’s Bank of China, please visit the website of the China Gold Coin Network.
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