🌊 Xuelong 2, China's first domestically-built polar icebreaker, just docked in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for the first time! 🚢✨
After a thrilling 161-day Antarctic expedition covering over 81,000 nautical miles (that's like traveling around the Earth three times! 🌏), the mighty Xuelong 2 sailed into Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday morning, greeted by excited onlookers. 👀
At the welcoming ceremony, John Lee, chief executive of the HKSAR, couldn't hide his enthusiasm: \"Xuelong 2 is a marvel of Chinese innovation, packed with cutting-edge tech. And guess what? Hong Kong is its first stop after conquering the icy south! 🧊❄️\"
Lee added that the Antarctic expedition team is eager to share their incredible experiences and research findings with the public, showing just how much the central government cares for Hong Kong. ❤️
Throwback to 2004, when Xuelong (the original) visited Hong Kong before embarking on China's 21st Antarctic expedition. Deputy Minister Sun Shuxian reminisced about the warm welcome back then and is thrilled that Xuelong 2 is continuing the tradition. 🌟
\"This visit will boost collaboration between scientific research institutions in the mainland and Hong Kong in polar research,\" Sun said. Sounds like some epic science collabs are on the horizon! 🔬🤝
Zhang Beichen, chief scientist of the 40th Antarctic expedition, shared that Xuelong, Xuelong 2, and cargo ship Tianhui set sail from Shanghai on November 1, 2023. They've braved the Antarctic, completed all their missions, and are now back to tell the tale. Talk about an adventure! 🐧🏔️
So if you're in Hong Kong this week, don't miss the chance to catch a glimpse of Xuelong 2 and maybe even chat with some real-life polar explorers! 🌠✨
Reference(s):
China's 1st domestically built polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 visits HKSAR
cgtn.com
