On this day 34 years ago, on October 4, 1991 (August 27, 1991 lunar calendar), the Protocol on Environmental Protection in Antarctica was adopted. On October 4, 1991, the 11th Special Meeting of the Fourth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Countries held in Madrid, the capital of Spain, adopted the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. Among the 26 Antarctic Treaty Consultative Countries, including China, the United States, Britain, France, the Soviet Union and other 23 countries signed the Protocol. The Protocol will enter into force on October 3, 1992. The Protocol stipulates: The Antarctic region is a natural reserve dedicated to peaceful and scientific purposes. The protocol sets out strict protection measures to protect the ecological environment of the Antarctic continent and nearby areas from destruction, including banning all commercial mineral resource development activities in the Antarctic region for the next 50 years. The protocol is a rational decision made by mankind to protect the earth's natural environment and a great progress in the peaceful use of Antarctica.