Mainland icebreakers set off for Antarctica

China held a departure ceremony in Sanya, Hainan, on Saturday to mark the start of its 43rd Antarctic scientific expedition. Organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the mission will upgrade China's polar research stations and logistics network and carry out comprehensive, multidisciplinary surveys and monitoring in Antarctica. It will also pursue priority research at the frontiers of polar science, test and apply domestically developed equipment, and deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation in science and logistics support. The expedition is supported by the icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2, along with another vessel. More than 600 team members from over 100 domestic institutions are participating, and the team is expected to return home in April. (Xinhua) Edited by Azam Khan