BEIJING - A mineral explored near the Diaoyu Islands decades ago by Chinese researchers will be exhibited for the first time in Beijing on the World Earth Day, an official said Tuesday.

Jiang Jianjun, director of Technology and International Cooperation Department with the Ministry of Land and Resources, said the sample mineral, "diaoyudaoite," will be on show at the exhibition scheduled on April 22 in the afternoon, at the Geological Museum of China.

The mineral was found at the seabed near the Diaoyu Islands in 1982 by researcher Shen Shunxi with Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and his colleagues, which was then approved by International Mineralogical Association with the name "diaoyudaoite" in November, 1985. '

The exhibition will witness the first public appearance of the mineral, along with showing other models and samples, Jiang added.