China's Antarctic expedition team holds flag-raising ceremony to ring in new year

Members of China's 41st Antarctic expedition team held a flag-raising ceremony on Saturday in China's Qinling Station, the country's fifth research station in Antarctic, to ring in the new year.

Many of the team members had participated in the flag-raising ceremony on Feb 7, 2024, when the Qinling Station started operation. This year, with a set of new tasks at hand, the expedition team has welcomed several fresh faces. As it is the first time for the newcomers to come to the station, they will have to face the challenges of the frozen continent head-on.

"I'm extremely excited to attend the flag-raising ceremony, especially here in Antarctica. I feel this is a very meaningful part of my life," said Zhang Hong, a member of the 41st Chinese Antarctic Expedition team.

Fellow team member Guo Dongliang highlighted the mission's scientific focus.

"Our mission this time involves solving hydrogen production, storage, fuel cell power generation, a full-cycle power generation system. it marks its first application in Antarctica and our contribution to China's polar endeavors," said Guo.

Over the years, China's polar research has evolved from the humble beginnings to the establishment of five research stations, from basic fieldwork to a fully mechanized approach, including ships, vehicles, and aircraft, and from survey ships to ice-strengthened ships and icebreakers, highlighting China's more active and constructive role in international polar governance.

On the last day of 2024, with the sun shining 24 hours a day in Antarctica, the Qinling Station appeared as a bustling construction site, from unloading supplies on the shore to operations at the mountaintop.

While the previous expedition focused on constructing the station's basic framework, the current team is tasked with bringing it to life. Their mission includes completing the outdoor pipeline network, establishing new energy and hydrogen energy systems, and finalizing the construction of the scientific research and communication areas.

"Our primary focus during the summer season is to complete essential supporting facilities, such as the new energy systems, fuel tanks, wastewater treatment, seawater desalination, incinerator, and outdoor pipelines. These are crucial for ensuring our ability to withstand the harsh environment during the overwintering period," said Wang Zhechao, chief of Qinling Station of China's 41st Antarctic Expedition.

The Qinling Station will welcome its first overwintering team in 2025.

China's Antarctic expedition team holds flag-raising ceremony to ring in new year

China's Antarctic expedition team holds flag-raising ceremony to ring in new year

China's Antarctic expedition team holds flag-raising ceremony to ring in new year

China's Antarctic expedition team holds flag-raising ceremony to ring in new year

Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), held talks with speaker of the Finnish parliament Jussi Halla-aho in Beijing on Monday, to discuss relations between their two countries.

Noting this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Finland, Zhao said China stands ready to work together with Finland to deliver on the important consensus reached between the top leaders of the two countries, and promote continuous development of the China-Finland future-oriented new-type cooperative partnership.

China is further deepening reform comprehensively and expanding high-standard opening up, which will bring new opportunities for bilateral cooperation, Zhao said, noting China is willing to make joint efforts with Finland to expand win-win cooperation and cement public support for bilateral relations.

China hopes that Finland will continue to play a positive role in boosting mutual promotion and common development of China-Finland relations and of relations between China and the European Union (EU), Zhao said.

Zhao said that the NPC is ready to carry forward the traditional friendship and implement close exchange and cooperation with the Finnish parliament.

As China and Finland each have their own characteristics in national governance and development concepts, the national legislatures of the two countries can learn from each other and play their legislative and supervisory roles to create a sound and stable legal environment for practical cooperation between the two countries, he said.

For his part, Halla-aho said that Finland stays committed to the one-China policy, noting the government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China.

On the basis of mutual respect and trust, Finland is willing to promote practical bilateral cooperation, safeguard free trade and tackle common challenges, said Halla-aho, noting that the Finnish parliament hopes for enhanced exchange with China's NPC, so as to play a positive role in deepening the relations between Finland and China.

China's top legislator holds talks with Finland's parliament speaker on relations