Chinese icebreaker Xuelong or the Snow Dragon, departs from Australia's Hobart on 20th Nov. and heads to China's Zhongshan Antarctic Station. After 9 days' sail, Xuelong already reaches a floating ice zone of Southern Ocean at 65.3 degrees south latitude, off Antarctica. It's still about 445kms away from Zhongshan Antarctic Station. (Xinhua/Bai Yang) |