China's icebreaker Xuelong returned to port on Tuesday, concluding China's 41st Antarctic expedition, which includes the construction of the Qinling research station and climate change studies, according to China Media Group.

The expedition, launched on November 1, 2024​​, deployed 516 scientists across three vessels. Cargo ship Yong Sheng returned in January 2025 after delivering station materials, while Xuelong 2 remains in the Ross Sea until June for joint international research.