China's polar icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, and its partner icebreaker Xuelong are advancing their joint Antarctic expedition after meeting in a floating ice area in the Southern Ocean near the Antarctic Circle on Tuesday.

The voyage is a major part of China's 36th Antarctic expedition, which involves 413 scientists, researchers and support staff.

The two icebreakers are sailing close to China's Zhongshan research station for discharge work.