Taiwan and China will cooperate on research in Antarctica for the first time, an official said Thursday, in a sign that ties between the two former arch foes are warming even in polar science.

Three Taiwanese biologists will join a Chinese team in Antarctica for periods ranging up to three months, said Wang Wei-hsien, director of Taiwan's Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium.

One of the three will board China's icebreaker and research vessel Xue Long, which is due to set off from Shanghai on Sunday, carrying 251 researchers on its largest mission yet.

Two other biologists will join once the ship has arrived on the icy continent, where the Taiwanese group will study organic pollution and marine organisms.

"Taiwanese researchers haven't set foot on Antarctica for decades, and this will be a whole new experience for us," Wang said.

Taiwan and China agreed to join hands when The Xue Long made its high-profile maiden voyage to the island in April on the way back from its 25th mission to Antarctica.

Some 2,000 Taiwanese visited the ship when it was anchored at Taiwan's southern port of Kaohsiung.

Since kickstarting economic reforms three decades ago, China has made scientific projects a priority, establishing three research bases in Antarctica since 1985.

Beijing still sees Taiwan as part of its territory awaiting reunification by force if necessary, although they have been governed separately after a civil war in 1949.

Ties have improved dramatically since Beijing-friendly Ma Ying-jeou became Taiwan's president last year.