China's State Oceanic Administration and research organizations from six other countries, including Russia, on Thursday inked a number of memoranda of understanding in a move to promote international cooperation on Arctic studies, RIA Novosti reported citing the administration's statement.
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On behalf of Russia, the documents were signed by the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, which carries out comprehensive studies of the planet's Polar regions. Similar MoUs have also been signed with Norway, the United States, Germany, Chile, and Argentina.

The signed documents aim to encourage and promote international cooperation on polar studies and also boost the effectiveness of research conducted in the Arctic and the Antarctic. They cover various aspects of this work, including organizing inspections, putting in place logistics, personnel and technical exchanges, and environmental issues.  

Currently, Beijing is hosting the 40^th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, which is attended by representatives from 50 countries and international organizations.