Xuelong 2 embarks on nation's 39th Antarctic expedition

The first group of researchers boarded China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2 on Wednesday to embark on China's 39th Antarctic expedition, starting from Shanghai, with a plan to conduct scientific research of the impact of global climate change on the key ocean area.

A second group of researchers will set out on another polar research vessel, Xuelong, on Monday. In all, 255 researchers will participate in this polar expedition, which will take about 180 days, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources. All of the researchers are expected to return in April 2023.