The construction of a helipad officially kicked off on Wednesday in China's fifth Antarctic research station, which is under construction along the coastal areas of the Ross Sea.

The unique geographical environment of Antarctica makes the helipad a necessary infrastructure in scientific research stations there, which depends on helicopters for the transportation of both suppliers and personnel. 

Spanning 1,100 square meters, the helipad under construction will be able to accommodate two helicopters at the same time.

As planned, the construction will be completed in three to five days, Guo Shilei, member of the new station construction team, told China Media Group.

"Our helipad construction adopts a way that combines domestic prefabrication and on-site assembly, which can not only reduce on-site construction waste, but also greatly improve the construction efficiency," said Guo.

Currently, the helipad along with the main building and the logistics center of the new station is being constructed simultaneously, and the construction work is expected to be concluded in early February.

China has already built four Antarctic research stations, with Changcheng and Zhongshan serving as all-year stations, and Taishan and Kunlun as summer stations. The new base will be the country's third all-year station in the region.