China continues to prioritize polar research and sustain its scientific endeavors with the inauguration of the fifth Antarctic research station, ‘Qinling,’ situated in the Ross Sea near the South Pole. Qinling, the third Chinese research base to operate year-round, will accommodate 80 researchers in the summer and 30 researchers in the winter.
China persistently contributes to polar science through international cooperation and expanding research domains. The primary objective of this new station is to enhance understanding of the environment, climate changes, and natural resources, aligning with China’s core goals in polar research. A tangible manifestation of this commitment, China’s fifth Antarctic research station, Qinling, commenced operations on Wednesday. Chinese President Xi Jinping also dispatched a congratulatory letter to the researchers.
Situated in the Ross Sea, closest to the South Pole, the station was constructed mirroring the Southern Cross constellation, with its principal structure completed within two months. The components of the station, covering a total area of 5,244 square meters, were manufactured in China and assembled in Antarctica.
The station was delineated into five functional modules: summer dormitories, winter dormitories, offices, laboratories, and bathrooms, facilitating researchers to work more efficiently.
Shen Jun, director of the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration of the State Oceanic Administration, remarked, “Qinling Station, positioned on the coastal parts of the Ross Sea, serves as an ideal location for polar scientific expeditions. It not only addresses China’s scientific expedition gap in this region but also offers significant support to other countries’ endeavors,” he noted.
Since the 1980s, China has conducted a series of activities in the polar regions, encompassing scientific research and bolstering its presence therein. Dating back to the late 1980s, the studies undertaken by the Shanghai China Polar Research Institute and the Academy of Sciences led to the establishment of the China Journal of Polar Research in 1988. The inaugural expedition to the poles occurred in 1984.
China operates four other research stations across different parts of Antarctica: Changcheng, Zhongshan, Taishan, and Kunlun. Two of these, akin to Qinling, operate year-round.
China’s Snow Dragon Icebreaker Ship
Snow Dragon, or “Xuelong” as known in Chinese, is an icebreaking research vessel utilized for scientific research in China’s Antarctic and Arctic territories. Icebreaker ships, pivotal in polar research, serve as auxiliary vessels, leading the way in icy seas and clearing paths for subsequent ships.
Key features of Xuelong include:
- Dual-purpose vessel
As Xuelong is designed for scientific research in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions, it can undertake a diverse range of studies concerning climate change, environmental variations, and natural resources.
- Icebreaking capability
Xuelong possesses the capacity to traverse icy waters, enabling navigation in harsh polar conditions.
- Antarctic duties
Xuelong regularly transports supplies and personnel to China’s Zhongshan Station for scientific research in Antarctica. Additionally, the vessel conducts various scientific observations and measurements in Antarctica.
- Arctic duties
It conducts research on marine sciences, atmospheric sciences, and environmental changes in the Arctic region. Moreover, it assesses the state of Arctic sea routes and monitors environmental conditions therein.
- International collaboration
Xuelong serves as an open platform for international polar research collaboration, facilitating scientists and researchers to engage in joint projects aboard the vessel.
Xuelong plays a pivotal role in China’s polar exploration endeavors, supporting the country’s polar science and fostering collaboration within the international scientific community.