The nation’s first homegrown polar icebreaker, the Xue Long 2, arrived in Hong Kong on Monday as its first port of call on its return voyage to the mainland after completing the country’s 40th Antarctic scientific expedition.
Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Director of the State Oceanic Administration Sun Shuxian, leading a delegation from the ministry and the 40th Antarctic scientific expedition, arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday ahead of the five-day stay.
He said he hopes the historic visit of the research vessel will propel joint efforts between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in the field of polar exploration.
Sun attended a banquet hosted by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government on Sunday evening, at which he recalled the warm welcome the first Xue Long icebreaker received from the Hong Kong community when it visited the city 20 years ago. Over the two decades since then, the nation has achieved dazzling progress with its polar expeditions, Sun said.
During the Xue Long 2's five-day inaugural visit to Hong Kong, scientists and experts — including those from Xue Long 2 and the 40th Antarctic scientific expedition — will stage various activities and engage with local residents. Residents will be able to board the icebreaker free of charge to explore the advanced polar scientific research equipment.
In addition, various SAR government departments have organized a series of public activities related to the Xue Long 2’s visit, including exhibitions at the Hong Kong Science Museum in March, maritime parades, and cultural performances.
In hosting the welcoming dinner for the delegation, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said the Xue Long 2’s visit to the HKSAR marks a grand occasion for the city’s science education sector and its environmental protection sector.
This event commemorates the 40th anniversary of China's polar exploration. The 460-strong team of scientists from the 40th Antarctic scientific expedition, which set sail on Nov 1, 2023, includes members from over 80 domestic institutions. The expedition members were based at the Qinling research station in Antarctica before beginning their return journey on the Xue Long 2.
