China's 1st domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 visits HKSAR -International Investigation news portal

当前位置：首页 >world >China's 1st domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 visits HKSAR

China's 1st domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 visits HKSAR

Release time：2024-05-07 16:50:57 Source：International Investigation news portal

China's polar icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, enters the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, south China, April 8, 2024. China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, arrived in Hong Kong for the very first time on Monday for a five-day visit. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

HONG KONG, April 8 (Xinhua) -- China's first domestically made icebreaker Xuelong 2 on Monday arrived in the country's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for a five-day visit.

Xuelong 2, which came to Hong Kong for the very first time, entered the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday morning after completing their latest Antarctic expedition.

Speaking at a welcoming ceremony, John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, said that Xuelong 2 is China's first domestically built polar icebreaker for polar expedition, possessing a number of key technologies and innovations.

Lee said that the first stop of Xuelong 2's return voyage is Hong Kong where the country's Antarctic expedition team will share with the public their work and scientific research results, fully demonstrating the central government's care for Hong Kong.

Sun Shuxian, deputy minister of the Ministry of Natural Resources, said that in October 2004 when China's 21st Antarctic expedition was going to begin, the country's polar research vessel Xuelong visited Hong Kong and received a warm welcome.

After 20 years, Xuelong 2 will push ahead with the exchanges and cooperation between scientific research institutions in mainland and Hong Kong in the field of polar research, Sun said.

Zhang Beichen, chief scientist of China's 40th Antarctic expedition and the team leader, said that Xuelong, Xuelong 2 and cargo ship Tianhui set off from Shanghai on Nov. 1, 2023 and successfully completed various expedition tasks that lasted 161 days with a total of more than 81,000 nautical miles.

The organizing committee of Xuelong 2's visit hoped that the visit will promote Hong Kong people's understanding of the country's polar expedition, especially young people's interest and enthusiasm for polar scientific research.

The icebreaker will be open for public visits from Tuesday to Friday. During their stay in Hong Kong, the Antarctic expedition team will hold a two-day international conference on climate change at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Xuelong 2's scientists will meet with about 200 students at the Hong Kong Science Museum where the "Polar Research and Climate Change" exhibition was held.

Xuelong 2 is China's fourth polar research vessel, following Xiangyanghong 10, Jidi, and Xuelong. It measures 122.5 meters in length, with a displacement of nearly 14,000 tons, a total installed power of 23.2 megawatts, and a capacity of 101 members. ■

Random recommendation

Missouri lawmakers back big expansion of low Rybakina, Vondroušová into Stuttgart quarters while Jabeur out Rybakina, Vondroušová into Stuttgart quarters while Jabeur out District attorney says Memphis police officer may have been killed by friendly fire A Nigerian schoolgirl abducted by extremists 10 years ago is rescued pregnant and with 3 kids As earnings season rolls into its heart, hopes rise for broader gains Justice Department ramps up efforts to reduce violent crime with gun intel center Natalie Portman shows Benjamin Millepied what he's missing in sexy see Paris Olympics opening ceremony on river Seine will last nearly 4 hours Arkansas Supreme Court says new DNA testing can be sought in 'West Memphis 3' case