Tale of China's scientific expedition to Antarctic

With the establishment of the Antarctic Great Wall Station 30 years ago, China became the 18th country with a research station on the continent of Antarctica. 30 years on, China has built another three research stations - Antarctic Zhongshan Station, Antarctic Kunlun Station, and Antarctic Taishan Station. China now plans to build a fifth Antarctic research station on Inexpressible Island.

With the Xuelong icebreaking research vessel, China's 31th Antarctic Expedition arrived on the continent of Antarctic and completed all its research tasks. The Xuelong sailed 30 thousand nautical miles on this Antarctic expedition that lasted 163 days.

A reporter with People's Daily Online, Wang Hailin, wants to share some photos of the scientists on the continent.

Splendid southern lights(Photo/Cui Penghui)

1. Going to Fildes Peninsula by Hercules C130

At Punta Arenas, Wang took the Chilean Air Force's Hercules C130 bound for Fildes Peninsula.(People's Daily/Wang Hailin)

The interior of the Hercules C130(People's Daily/Wang Hailin)

2. The colorful life of staff at the Antarctic research stations in winter

The overwintering expedition teams host a sports meeting that incorporates table tennis and four other athletic events. China won two gold medals at this sports meeting.(Photo contributed to People's Daily)

Peking Opera masks by the staff on the surface of the oil tanks.(Photo/Wang Gangyi)

3.Tofu made with seawater, a specialty on the Xuelong icebreaking research vessel

Zhu Juyin, a cook on the vessel, invented the specialty when the Xuelong made its maiden voyage to Antarctic Zhongshan Station in 1994. At that time, 140 staff had nothing to eat but bean curd and bean sprouts.