China's first domestically made icebreaker, Xuelong 2, arrived in Hong Kong for a five-day visit after completing its latest Antarctic expedition. The icebreaker entered the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui on Monday morning, where citizens had the opportunity to visit the ship and watch a documentary. This visit marks the first time Xuelong 2 has come to Hong Kong, providing an opportunity for the public to learn more about China's polar research efforts and the importance of scientific exploration in Antarctica [ca3621f1].
Xuelong 2, also known as Snow Dragon 2, is China's first domestically made polar icebreaker. It measures 122.5 meters long and 22.3 meters wide and is capable of breaking ice 1.5 meters high and snow 0.2 meters thick. The ship's visit to Hong Kong coincides with the 40th anniversary of China's polar expedition, adding significance to the event. Ho Kin Chung, chairman of an executive committee of Xuelong 2's visit, expressed excitement about the ship's arrival and highlighted the importance of the visit in enhancing young people's sense of national pride and inspiring students to pursue careers in polar research. Ho Kin Chung founded the Polar Research Institute of Hong Kong in 2018 to promote understanding and interest in the polar regions among Hong Kong students [2345d5ec].
China's expansion in Antarctica has raised concerns about its long-term ambitions and potential impact on governance and environmental protection in the region. The recent opening of China's fifth research station, Qinling, has sparked discussions about China's intentions in Antarctica. While China has stated that the station will contribute to scientific understanding and promote joint scientific exploration with other countries, there are concerns that it could also be used for signals intelligence collection. The launch of Qinling station is seen as a move to position China as a major scientific player in Antarctica and potentially pave the way for increased economic activities in the future. China's Arctic policy and its 'Polar Silk Road' expansion plans have faced controversy, and its intentions for Antarctica are not clearly defined in an official policy. The visit of Xuelong 2 to Hong Kong provides an opportunity for the public to engage with China's polar research efforts and gain insights into its activities in Antarctica [ca3621f1].
In addition to China's polar research efforts, scientists are currently investigating the deaths of at least 532 Adelie penguins in Antarctica, with thousands more believed to have died. The penguins are suspected to have been infected with bird flu, and the investigation aims to determine the cause of the outbreak and prevent further spread. The deaths of these penguins highlight the vulnerability of wildlife in Antarctica to infectious diseases and the need for monitoring and conservation efforts to protect the ecosystem. The investigation is ongoing, and researchers are working to understand the extent of the outbreak and its impact on the penguin population [e0c9bb24].
Meanwhile, the White House has directed NASA to establish a unified time standard for the moon and other celestial bodies. This directive reflects the increasing interest and competition in lunar exploration and the need for coordination and cooperation in space activities. The establishment of a lunar time standard will facilitate communication and synchronization between different missions and enable more efficient and effective operations on the moon. It will also contribute to the development of a sustainable and peaceful space environment [e0c9bb24].
Furthermore, China and Thailand have signed pacts to cooperate on the peaceful use of outer space and international lunar research stations. This collaboration reflects the growing interest and investment in space exploration and the recognition of the importance of international cooperation in advancing scientific knowledge and exploration. By working together, China and Thailand aim to contribute to the peaceful and sustainable use of outer space and promote scientific collaboration on lunar research. This partnership is expected to strengthen the capabilities and resources of both countries in space exploration and enhance their contributions to the global space community [e0c9bb24].