The country’s first domestically built polar scientific research icebreaker was given a warm welcome on Monday, complete with tugboats spraying water high into the sky as the vessel cruised into Victoria Harbour, while helicopters from the Government Flying Service hovered nearby and a police band played rousing tunes at the waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Zheng Yanxiong, director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, welcomed the ship’s 30-strong delegation which included Zhang Beichen, the team leader and chief scientist of China’s 40th Antarctic expedition, and captain Xiao Zhimin.
The members were also greeted by lawmaker Ma Fung-kwok, who chairs the organising committee for the five-day visit and its associated events, as well as Professor Ho Kin-chung, founder of the Green Future Foundation Association and the Polar Research Institute of Hong Kong, both co-organisers.
Xue Long 2, which entered service in 2019 and is equipped with world-class marine and research facilities, features the world’s first dual-directional icebreaking capability at the bow and stern, and can rotate freely 360 degrees in place.
The vessel will be open for public visits between Tuesday and Friday, but places will be allocated through an online ballot system because of limited on-board capacity.
The icebreaker’s visit also coincides with a two-day conference on climate change in the city to be attended by global experts, and an exhibition on the topic and polar research at the Hong Kong Science Museum that runs until June.
Students will be invited to hear from the ship’s visiting scientists as well as those from the Zhongshan Station in Antarctica, while lectures and exhibitions on polar science will also be organised for primary and secondary school pupils starting next month.
On the night before the icebreaker officially arrived, city leader Lee hosted the delegation at Government House, with members sharing stories about constructing Qinling Station and living in Antarctica.
Qinling is the fifth Antarctic research station operated by the Polar Research Institute of China.
Hong Kong to receive icebreaker Xue Long 2 for first time in April
Hong Kong to receive icebreaker Xue Long 2 for first time in April
Lee said the icebreaker’s return home with a first stop in the city was a “historic” and landmark event for the local scientific and environmental sectors.
He added that related talks and activities would allow residents to learn more about China’s technological achievements in its polar expeditions and offered a chance for the public to embrace its national identity, especially among the younger generation.
Sun Shuxian, deputy minister of the ministry of natural resources, said the country had achieved remarkable results in the expeditions and become one of the world’s great polar powers.
He hoped that governments and research institutes in mainland China and Hong Kong could further collaborate through the visit, while also contributing to the country’s progress and sustainable ocean and polar development.