Tianjin (CNS) – Xue Long, or "Snow Dragon," the Chinese icebreaker and research vessel, departed from Tianjin on Wednesday to embark on the 28th China South Pole expedition.
The vessel will sail through five temperate zones during the 164-day voyage.
When Xue Long crosses the westerlies, the crew will have a hard time because of the big waves, said Li Yuansheng, leader of the expedition and deputy director of the Polar Research Institute of China.
Since 1984, China has completed 27 Antarctic expeditions and four Arctic expeditions, and established the Changcheng Station, Zhongshan Station, Kunlun Station at the South Pole and the Huanghe Station at the North Pole.
