BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- The X 7.9-grade solar flare that occurred around 0701 GMT Thursday interrupted short-wave radio transmission in China, said a Chinese expert.

    "It is the largest solar flare this year," said Suo Yucheng, a noted researcher with the China Research Institute of Radio wave Propagation (CRIRP). "Radio waves were absorbed by the strong F layer created by the flare."

    CRIRP detected wide-range suspension of short-wave radio signals in its observation stations in Beijing, Guangzhou, Hainan, Lanzhou and Urumqi until after 0900 GMT Thursday.

    Solar fare produces mass ejection of highly energized particles from the sun. Thursday's fare is more intense than three previous ones on Jan. 16, 17, and 19, all at X-grade. X is the highest grade of the five-grade classification system, namely the A, B, C,M and X grades.

    "Solar flare may also be the factor that interrupt the communication of China's expedition team in Antarctica with the outside world over the past two days," acknowledged Suo. "The influence of solar flare is even stronger in polar areas." Enditem