China’s research icebreaker Xuelong sails in a floating ice area in the Southern Ocean yesterday. It is now sailing along the edge of the ice field in order to avoid a cyclone. The ship will sail out of the floating ice area and into the wide Southern Ocean under favorable weather conditions, and is scheduled to reach the Zhongshan Station in Antarctica on Friday. Also known as the Snow Dragon, the icebreaker carrying a research team set sail from Shanghai on Nov. 2, beginning the country’s 35th Antarctic expedition, which will last 162 days and cover 37,000 nautical miles (68,500 kilometers).Xinhua

Liu Xudong