China's 43rd Antarctic expedition sets sail from Sanya

China News Service, Sanya, November 7 (Zhang Yuehe) China's 43rd Antarctic expedition team, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources of China, set sail from Sanya on the 7th and headed for the Antarctic.

This inspection is jointly supported by the "Xuelong", "Xuelong 2" and "Dayang". More than 600 team members from more than 100 units in China participated. They are expected to return to China after completing the mission in April 2027. According to reports, this Antarctic expedition will focus on five aspects of work.

On November 7, China’s 43rd Antarctic expedition was launched in Sanya, Hainan. The picture shows the "Snow Dragon 2" that ensured this inspection departing from the Sanya Nanshan Port Terminal. Photo by China News Service reporter Luo Yunfei

The first is to improve polar expedition sites and transportation support systems. Comprehensively complete the on-site construction finalization and acceptance work of Qinling Station, carry out survey and mapping of the supporting facilities to be selected for the Mary Byrd Station, and carry out preliminary preparations for the upgrading of Great Wall Station and Zhongshan Station.

The second is to continue to carry out comprehensive surveys and monitoring of Antarctica in multiple fields. In typical sea areas such as the waters adjacent to the Antarctic Peninsula, the Astronaut Sea, Prydz Bay, the Ross Sea and the Amundsen Sea, focusing on the impact of climate change on the Southern Ocean ecosystem, multi-disciplinary comprehensive surveys and long-term monitoring of physical oceans, marine chemistry, marine biology, marine geology, atmosphere and sea ice are carried out through moored submersible buoys, box grabs, biological trawls and automated monitoring.

On November 7, China’s 43rd Antarctic expedition was launched in Sanya, Hainan. The picture shows young people presenting flowers to representatives of the inspection team at the event. Photo by China News Service reporter Luo Yunfei

The third is to implement key tasks at the forefront of international polar science and technology. Continue to carry out the national key research and development project "Antarctic Kirin Subglacial Lake Drilling" mission, and carry out in-situ sampling operations on the ice sheet covering the Kirin Subglacial Lake. Organize and implement the National Natural Science Foundation shared voyage "Research on the Subduction Stop Mechanism of the Scotia Sea Plate in Antarctica and Its Resource Effects" to conduct in-depth research on major frontier scientific issues such as the linkage mechanism of polar geological disasters, hydrothermal-cold seep interaction, and plate subduction stop mechanism.

The fourth is to promote the testing and application of domestic technical equipment. Organize the testing and application of domestic facilities and equipment in the Antarctic such as the AR500 large unmanned helicopter, the THT550 crawler-type high-horsepower tractor for ice field verification, the third-generation "Snow Leopard" 6×6 wheeled vehicle, and the new generation of inland expedition pressurized building complex, carry out the research and development of heavy-thickness snow surface compaction equipment and the verification of mobile full-module assembly terminal prototypes, and continuously improve China's independent support capabilities for polar technology and equipment.

The fifth is to deepen bilateral and multilateral international scientific research and security cooperation. Cooperate with Norway, Chile, Bulgaria and other countries to carry out research on Antarctic ice sheets, geology, ice and snow environment and other fields. Scientific researchers from Thailand, France, Belgium, Portugal and other countries as well as Hong Kong and Macao are invited to participate in this Antarctic expedition. Continue pragmatic cooperation in the field of logistics support with the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Italy, South Africa and other countries. (over)