The phones have been ringing off the hook at the State oceanic administration office, since a few days ago it announced it was looking for people to work at the country's Antarctic bases.
The Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration's (CAAA) message was widely circulated through social media, which explained that they are hiring 18 support staff at the Great Wall and Zhongshan Antarctic research stations. They are looking to recruit chefs, doctors, engineers, plumbers and a few other positions.
The hotline for application has been very busy since the ad was released a few days ago. The reporter tried an hour before he eventually got through.
The CAAA said that it will offer applicants a competitive salary and all the usual welfare. Workers at the Great Wall Station will receive a subsidy of around 200,000 yuan ($31,580) and those at the Zhongshan Station, which sits inside the Antarctic Circle, will receive a total of 250,000 yuan.
Applicants must meet exacting requirements. For instance, the doctor must have eight years of clinical experience and excellent English listening and speaking abilities. Applicants for the chef positions must have been working in the field for at least 10 years and have a senior cook certificate for Chinese food. Those aged under 50 years old are preferred.
The successful applicants will need to work from December 2016 to December 2017 at the Great Wall Station, or from November 2016 to April 2018 at the Zhongshan Station.
Fang Yuanfa, a cook who had served at the Great Wall Station from 2013 to 2014, said that the most difficult part of working in the Antarctic stations is boredom, as the local scenery is nothing but white snow and black rocks.
Fang said the Wi-Fi at the stations is poor and workers must apply for approval if they want to leave the stations to go on sight-seeing trips.
"Working in the Antarctic poses a great challenge, but it will lift your spiritual world. The scenery there is beautiful, but people should choose according to their own abilities," said Fang.
