Snow Dragon 2 or Xuelong 2 docks at New Zealand ports for contactless supply
After 17 days of sailing, the polar scientific icebreaker “Xuelong 2”, which is carrying members of China’s 37th Antarctic scientific expedition, stopped at Port Littleton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand, on the 27th for contactless supplies.
At the “contactless” welcoming ceremony held on the morning of the 28th local time, the new party will deliver gifts to the Chinese Antarctic research team – a Maori element decoration – and commemorative caps and other drones to the deck of “Xuelong 2.
The scientific team waved to the new personnel on the dock on the deck.
There was warm applause on the deck and the dock. Subsequently, the scientific research team held a videoconference with personnel of the New Zealand Antarctic Research Agency and the staff of the Chinese Consulate in Christchurch.
Andrew Turner, deputy mayor of Christchurch, said he expressed admiration and appreciation for the Chinese scientific team to carry out scientific research over the coronavirus epidemic.
The scientific research team plans to leave Hong Kong from the 29th, cross the westerlies and go to Zhongshan Station in Antarctica.
Since sailing from Shanghai on November 10, Xuelong 2 has sailed more than 5,000 nautical miles.
Affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, during the ship’s call in Hong Kong, the scientific research team strictly adopted epidemic prevention and control measures, personnel did not leave the ship, and carried out contactless fuel and material supply.
This expedition is the second time that the “Xuelong 2” has gone to Antarctica. It is planned to sail more than 30,000 nautical miles and is expected to return to Shanghai in early May 2021.
