Despite being many miles from home in one of the world’s most inhospitable environments, China’s 41st Antarctic expedition team still managed to bring some warmth to the polar ice cap with their Chinese New Year celebrations.
Aboard the Chinese icebreaker Xuelong 2, currently navigating the Amundsen Sea on an ocean survey mission, the living quarters are adorned with colorful Chinese lanterns and couplets, creating a traditional New Year ambiance.
"Even in such a distant place, the warmth of home can still be felt, and the festive atmosphere rises here with decorations being put up," said Huang Taoming, an expedition team member.
Team members who are off duty gathered to prepare for the most important traditional festival, making lanterns, pasting "Fu" characters symbolizing good fortune, and preparing to celebrate the festival as best they can.
"Due to limited internet access, we can't watch the Spring Festival Gala, so we organized our own celebration," said Li Jie, I the integrated team leader of the Xuelong 2.
"It's my first time in Antarctica for scientific researches, so I'm very excited. Although far from home, I still feel the warmth of home here," said Liang Zhourui, another team member.
Alongside the celebrations, the team's research work must continue, with the expedition team working in two shifts, each lasting 12 hours, to collect crucial samples for their oceanographic survey.
Xuelong 2 laboratory director, Xia Yinyue, highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance between research and celebration: "We are working in two shifts to ensure our ocean survey team gathers the necessary samples."
For veteran team member Mou Jianfeng, this marks his fifth trip to Antarctica, and his third time spending the Spring Festival on the frozen continent.
"It's a bit of a regret not to be with my family during the Spring Festival, but the excitement of collecting so many valuable samples makes up for it," he said.
The entire crew of the Xuelong icebreaker also sent their best wishes to Chinese people across the world.
"Happy Spring Festival to Chinese people, and may the Year of the Snake bring prosperity and good fortune," they said.
The 41st Antarctic expedition set sail from Guangzhou, the provincial capital of Guangdong in south China on Nov. 1, 2024, with the mission expected to last nearly seven months.

Chinese expedition team celebrates Spring Festival in Antarctica