A squad of China's 40th Antarctic expedition has concluded its one-year mission at the Zhongshan Station.
The 20 members of the squad, including eight researchers and 12 logistical support members, arrived at the Zhongshan Station on Nov 30, 2023.
Built in 1989, the Zhongshan Station is China's second permanent research property in Antarctica, located at the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica. It serves as a key hub for inland expeditions and supports research in meteorological observation, oceanography, and geology, among others.
"The Zhongshan Station has obtained a lot of data through regular monitoring, which have offered valuable data support for [research on] climate change, biodiversity, and geological structures, and also helped us in our understanding of Antarctica's role in climate change. They are very significant in China's Antarctic studies," said Wang Jinhui, head of China's 41st Antarctic expedition.
The 41st Antarctic expedition departed from south China's Guangzhou City to the south continent on Nov 1 aboard the home developed research icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon and Snow Dragon 2.
"We began our preparations in November when the Xuelong vessels set off. We cleared the grounds and helicopter operation zones at the station. About a week before the Xuelong fleet's expected arrival, we already completed a survey of the sea ice condition," said Hu Zejun, head of the Zhongshan Station of China's 40th Antarctic expedition.
The 40th Antarctic expedition, consisting of over 460 people, set sail from Shanghai on Nov 1, 2023.
Squad of 40th expedition completes one-year mission in Antarctica
Squad of 40th expedition completes one-year mission in Antarctica
A photo exhibition dedicated to the Flying Tigers kicked off on Saturday in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Co-sponsored by the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation and Xinjiang's government departments, the exhibition features 312 rare photographs and six artifacts, highlighting the enduring friendship between Chinese and American people.
Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, expressed hope that the exhibition tour would help more people know about the history of the close cooperation between China and the U.S. in the fight against Japanese invaders during World War II.
"We have many, 50 plus schools throughout China. Most of them we've visited. We have 25 schools in America. So anyway, the significance is we can talk in a way that no other group can talk. We have something in common. The thing in common is what the American pilots and the Chinese people did together 80 years ago," said Greene.
Besides the photo exhibition, the delegation from the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation also went to Xinjiang University and other places to award the title of "Flying Tigers Friendship School" to seven schools in Xinjiang.
"The story of the Flying Tigers is well known in China. I believe that the story and spirit of the Flying Tigers symbolize justice, peace, friendship and cooperation. This event is also an opportunity to tell the story of Xinjiang and amplifies the image of Xinjiang to the American public," said Xu Guixiang, Secretary of Party Committee of the Foreign Affairs Office under the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region People's Government.
The Flying Tigers, officially known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, was formed in 1941 by U.S. General Claire Lee Chennault. They came to China to help Chinese people fight the invading Japanese troops.
While the Flying Tigers did not directly engage in enemy forces in Xinjiang, they share a lesser-known connection to the autonomous region.
During World War II, the Flying Tigers made attempts to establish alternative flight routes over the Himalayas, known as the Hump route, to circumvent Japan's blockade of strategic materials.
The foundation initiated the Flying Tigers Friendship School and Young Leaders Program in 2022 to promote the spirit of the Flying Tigers among Chinese and American students and deepen mutual respect and cooperation. To date, the program has partnered with nearly 60 schools across China.
Flying Tigers exhibition in Xinjiang highlights China-US friendship
