
People see off China's 40th Antarctic scientific expedition team at a base dock in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 1, 2023. China's 40th Antarctic scientific expedition team set sail on Wednesday morning, starting a mission expected to last over five months. This is the first time China's Antarctic scientific research mission will be carried out by three ships.(Photo: Xinhua)

Research icebreaker Xuelong sets off from a base dock in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 1, 2023. China's 40th Antarctic scientific expedition team set sail on Wednesday morning, starting a mission expected to last over five months. This is the first time China's Antarctic scientific research mission will be carried out by three ships.(Photo: Xinhua)

Staff members prepare the gangway ladder of research icebreaker Xuelong 2 at a base dock in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 1, 2023. China's 40th Antarctic scientific expedition team set sail on Wednesday morning, starting a mission expected to last over five months. This is the first time China's Antarctic scientific research mission will be carried out by three ships.(Photo: Xinhua)

Research icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2 set off from a base dock in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 1, 2023. China's 40th Antarctic scientific expedition team set sail on Wednesday morning, starting a mission expected to last over five months. This is the first time China's Antarctic scientific research mission will be carried out by three ships.(Photo: Xinhua)