China's 41st Antarctic expedition preparatory team arrives at Qinling Station

A 34-member preparatory team from China's 41st Antarctic expedition has arrived at Qinling Station, China's fifth Antarctic research station in Antarctica, to begin groundwork for the arrival of the main expedition team.

The preparatory team has focused on restoring the station's functionality by restarting key equipment and reactivating its power supply. They have reactivated three excavators, two loaders and two 100kW generators, ensuring the station is fully operational for the team's mission.

China's 41st Antarctic expedition, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, is well underway after departing on November 1. The mission is being conducted using three ships: the research icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2 (Snow Dragon and Snow Dragon 2) and the cargo vessel Yong Sheng.

The expedition team will conduct infrastructure development, climate change studies and foster international cooperation in the challenging Antarctic environment.

Qinling Station, officially inaugurated in February 2024, is located on the Ross Sea coast and is China's first Antarctic research station facing the Pacific sector.

Spanning 5,244 square meters, the station has a distinctive design inspired by the Southern Cross constellation, symbolizing a tribute to Zheng He – a renowned admiral, mariner and diplomat in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) – who relied on the constellation for navigation during his legendary voyages to the Western Seas.