An exhibition highlighting China's Arctic and Antarctic expedition achievements over the past 40 years opened at the National Museum in Beijing on Friday.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivered a speech at the exhibition's opening ceremony, calling for efforts to break new ground in the country's polar expedition on a new journey in the new era.
Jointly organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Xinhua News Agency and the National Museum, the exhibition systematically introduces the development process and historical achievements of China's polar expedition over the past four decades for the first time.
An array of the country's most advanced polar expedition support facilities, scientific research equipment, and precious specimens have been displayed for the first time at the exhibition that will last till Oct 21.
As China's inaugural Antarctic expedition was made in 1984, this year marks the 40th anniversary of Chinese polar research. To date, the nation has accomplished 40 Antarctic and 13 Arctic expeditions, amassing a wealth of samples and scientific data.
These multidisciplinary expeditions encompass a range of fields, including glaciology, marine biology, meteorology, geology and environmental science. China's commitment to polar research is underpinned by its icebreakers, Xuelong and Xuelong 2, which serve as vital platforms for transport and fieldwork.
These vessels have empowered Chinese scientists to access the most remote and inhospitable areas for research, even in extreme ice conditions.
Xuelong 2 is China's first domestically built polar icebreaker by building upon the legacy of its predecessor, Xuelong, which has been in operation since 1993. Launched in 2019, it is a testament to the significant progress China has made in its capacity for polar research.
Expo opens in Beijing to highlight China's polar expedition achievements in four decades
China has intensified its flood control efforts as the country's Yangtze River is experiencing its 2024 "No.1 Flood".
Due to continuous rainfall, the water level of Taihu Lake has risen to 3.81 meters as of Sunday afternoon, with 24 monitoring stations exceeding the warning level. Currently, Suzhou City of east China's Jiangsu Province has raised the emergency flood response level to Level III.
"In just a short span of 15 and a half hours, the water level [at Taipu sluice gate] rose by 21 centimeters. At present, Taipu sluice gate is discharging water downstream in accordance with the instructions from the Taihu Lake Basin Authority," said Ze Zhenrong, director of the Taipu River Management Office, Taihu Lake Basin Authority.
According to meteorological forecasts, the Taihu Lake Basin will continue to experience rainfall in the next three days, leading to a continued rise in the water level of the lake. It is possible that the water level may exceed four meters, indicating a severe flood control situation.
Affected by persistent heavy rainfalls, multiple tributaries connected to Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake, China's two largest freshwater lakes, have seen major flooding.
At 09:00 on Sunday, the water level at the Chenglingji hydrological station of Dongting Lake, in central China's Hunan Province reached 33 meters, surpassing the warning line.
The city of Yueyang has mobilized over 3,000 grassroots Party organizations and more than 80,000 Party members and officials to conduct 24-hour patrols.
Due to rainfall, a road collapse occurred on the Yueyang section of Pingjiang-Dongko Expressway at 08:00 on Sunday. The traffic police implemented temporary traffic control measures. Thanks to a timely response, there were no vehicles falling or casualties at the scene. Currently, the site of the collapse is still undergoing emergency repairs.
Also, starting from Saturday, the water level in the Wushui River section of Xinhuan County in Hunan's Huaihua City has been continuously rising. Local authorities immediately began relocating affected residents to safe areas. By the early morning of Sunday, a total of 28,000 people had been relocated in the area.
In addition, the education bureau of Huaihua issued a notice on Sunday, suspending all offline educational activities in primary and secondary schools, kindergartens, and extracurricular training institutions throughout the city.
Due to continuous rainfall and upstream inflows, the water level of Poyang Lake in east China's Jiangxi Province continues to rise even after surpassing the warning level. As of 09:00 on Sunday, the water level at the lake's landmark Xingzi hydrological station had exceeded the warning level by 1.69 meters.
China intensifies disaster control efforts as Yangtze River sees first flood of 2024
