China's 41st Antarctic expedition ships set to sail to Qinling Station

Two ships participating in China's 41st Antarctic expedition, research icebreakers Xuelong 2 and cargo vessel Yong Sheng, converged in Antarctica on Saturday.

Xuelong 2 will break ice and guide Yong Sheng to Qinling Station in Antarctica, where team members will disembark to work on the construction of station facilities and equipment.

The cargo vessel set sail from east China's Jiangsu Province on November 20, carrying about 16,000 cubic meters of construction materials for Qinling Station's supporting infrastructure.

Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, is China's first domestically developed icebreaker. It departed from Nansha International Cruise Home Port in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, alongside its predecessor Xuelong, on November 1.

The two vessels are primarily responsible for scientific research, personnel transport and logistical supply tasks. In early December, they arrived at Zhongshan Station, China's largest research facility in southeastern Antarctica, and commenced unloading and transfer operations to deliver supplies for the research base.

Organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, China's 41st Antarctic expedition is being conducted with the support of the three vessels.