Surface-phase ZrO2 on SiO2 (SZrOs) and surface-phase La2O3 on Al2O3 (SLaOs) were prepared with various loadings of ZrO2 and La2O3, characterized and used as supports for preparing Pt/SZrOs and Pt/SLaOs catalysts. CH4/CO2 reforming over the Pt/SZrOs and Pt/SLaOs catalysts was examined and compared with Pt/Al2O3 and Pt/SiO2 catalysts. CO2 or CH4 pulse reaction/adsorption analysis was employed to elucidate the effects of these surface-phase oxides. The zirconia can be homogeneously dispersed on SiO2 to form a stable surface-phase oxide. The lanthana cannot be spread well on Al2O3, but it forms a stable amorphous oxide with Al2O3. The Pt/SZrOs and Pt/SLaOs catalysts showed higher steady activity than did Pt/SiO2 and Pt/Al2O3 by a factor of three to four. The Pt/SZrOs and Pt/SLaOs catalysts were also much more stable than the Pt/SiO2 and Pt/Al2O3 catalysts for long stream time and for reforming temperatures above 700 degreesC. These findings were attributed to the activation of CO2 adsorbed on the basic sites of SZrOs and SLaOs.