China’s Xuelong 2 icebreaker has reached waters near Zhongshan Station and begun icebreaking operations as part of the country’s 42nd Antarctic scientific expedition, a 19-month mission aimed at advancing polar research and strengthening international scientific cooperation.
The Xuelong 2, accompanied by its sister ship Xuelong, is carrying out a wide range of operations including logistics, research and equipment testing under extreme polar conditions. The expedition represents one of China’s most ambitious Antarctic missions to date, spanning nearly two years before both vessels return to Shanghai in May 2026.
After completing resupply operations in Hobart, Australia, the Xuelong 2 crossed the westerlies and reached waters roughly 60 kilometres from Zhongshan Station on 1 December, according to the expedition’s leadership team.
“The two vessels are carrying about 2,000 tons of supplies for the Antarctic Zhongshan Station. Over the next two weeks, depending on ice conditions, we’ll be unloading the cargo using both sea-ice vehicles and helicopter sling operations,” said Wei Fuhai, leader of China’s 42nd Antarctic Expedition.
The mission involves over 500 scientists and crew members representing more than 80 institutions across the Chinese mainland, as well as researchers from over 10 countries and regions, including Thailand, Chile, and Portugal, along with participants from Hong Kong and Macao.
According to the Chinese Polar Research Institute, the expedition will focus on multi-disciplinary surveys, including studies on climate change, marine ecosystems, atmospheric sciences and glaciology. It will also test domestically developed technologies designed for use in extreme environments — part of China’s long-term goal of expanding its scientific footprint in Antarctica.
The Xuelong 2, China’s first domestically built polar research icebreaker, has been a cornerstone of the country’s growing polar programme, which combines scientific discovery with international collaboration under the framework of the Antarctic Treaty System.
Officials said the expedition aims to strengthen China’s contribution to global climate and polar research while fostering cooperation across borders.
“This expedition reflects our commitment to open scientific collaboration and sustainable exploration of the polar regions,” Wei added.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen triumphed at the Qatar Grand Prix, overtaking McLaren’s Oscar Piastri for victory, while Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. co...
China’s Xuelong 2 icebreaker has reached waters near Zhongshan Station and begun icebreaking operations as part of the country’s 42nd Antarctic sc...
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday he expected ongoing talks with Ukrainian officials to deliver “more progress” toward reaching a...
Allies of Kyrgyzstan’s President Sadyr Japarov have secured a strong majority in the country’s snap parliamentary election, according to prelimina...
OPEC+ is expected to maintain its current oil production levels at meetings scheduled for Sunday, as the alliance weighs the risks of an emerging supp...
China announced a sweeping inspection of fire-safety standards in high-rise buildings nationwide on Saturday after a deadly fire in Hong Kong left at least 128 people dead.
Hong Kong on Saturday mourned the 128 people known to have died in a massive fire at a high-rise apartment complex, a toll that is likely to rise with 150 still missing days after the disaster.
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to visit China from 3 to 5 December 2025, during which he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Latest figures released by the Hong Kong fire department puts the death toll in the apartment complex fire at 65 with around 70 people injured. Ten firefighters also sustained injuries in the incident.
U.S. investigators have recovered the black box recorders from the wreckage of a UPS cargo plane that crashed in flames on takeoff in Louisville, Kentucky. At least twelve people died. The crash sent a wall of fire into an industrial corridor and forced the shutdown of the airport.
The global recall of Airbus A320 aircraft has triggered widespread disruption across several major airlines, forcing flight cancellations in the United States, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said on Friday that the group retains the right to respond to Israel’s killing of its top military commander, leaving open the possibility of a new conflict with the country.
Kazakhstan has called on Ukraine to stop striking the Black Sea terminal of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) after a major drone attack forced a halt to exports and caused serious damage to loading equipment.
Russia’s state communications watchdog said it is tightening restrictions on WhatsApp, claiming the US-owned platform violates Russian law and is being used to facilitate criminal activity, according to comments carried by the Tass news agency.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen triumphed at the Qatar Grand Prix, overtaking McLaren’s Oscar Piastri for victory, while Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. completed the podium in Doha.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday he expected ongoing talks with Ukrainian officials to deliver “more progress” toward reaching a deal to end the conflict in Ukraine.
OPEC+ is expected to maintain its current oil production levels at meetings scheduled for Sunday, as the alliance weighs the risks of an emerging supply glut against ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, four OPEC+ sources told reporters this week.
More than a thousand people gathered in Hong Kong on Sunday to mourn victims of the city’s deadliest fire in 75 years, as Beijing warned against any protest.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday he had appointed Oksana Markarova, the country’s former ambassador to the United States, as his new adviser on reconstruction and investment, expanding the team responsible for long-term recovery planning.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment