Storyline: 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. 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. 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. The entire crew of the Xuelong icebreaker also sent their best wishes to Chinese people across the world. 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. Shotlist: Antarctica - Recent: 1. Corridor in Chinese research icebreaker Xuelong 2; 2. Various of expedition team members making Spring Festival decorations; 3. Team members making dumplings; 4. Team member sticking Chinese character "Fu" (good fortune); 5. Spring Festival couplets on door; 6. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Huang Taoming, Chinese expedition team member (starting with shot 5/ending with shot 7): "Even in such a distant place, the warmth of home can still be felt, and the festive atmosphere rises here with decorations being put out." 7. Chinese character "Fu"; 8. Crew member sticking Chinese character “Fu" on wall; 9. Various of chili; 10. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Li Jie, integrated team leader of Xuelong 2 (ending with shot 11): "Due to limited internet access, we can't watch the Spring Festival Gala, so we organized our own celebration." 11. Various of expedition team members preparing performances 12. Expedition team cook writing Spring Festival menu 13. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Liang Zhourui, Chinese expedition team member (ending with shot 14): "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." 14. Various of decorations, team members setting decorations 15. Various of scientific research in progress 16. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xia Yinyue, Xuelong 2 laboratory director (ending with shot 17): "We are working in two shifts to ensure our ocean survey team gathers the necessary samples." 17. Various of scientific investigation in progress, expedition team members working 18. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Mou Jianfeng, Chinese expedition team member (ending with shots 19-20): "This is my 5th time being here in Antarctica and the 3rd time celebrate Chinese New Year here on an icebreaker. 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." 19. Various of team members working; 20. Various of samples; 21. Helicopter operating; 22. Machinery operating; 23. Expedition team members working; 24. Plane taking off; 25. Expedition team member ringing bell; 26. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Xuelong icebreaker crew: "Happy Spring Festival to Chinese people, and may the Year of the Snake bring prosperity and good fortune."; 27. Aerial shot of scientific research base; FILE: Antarctica - Feb 2024: 28. Aerial shot of Chinese icebreaker Xuelong 2 at sea; FILE: Antarctica - Feb 2024: 29. Aerial shot of Qinling Station; FILE: Antarctica - Feb 2024: 30. Aerial shot of Chinese icebreaker Xuelong 2 at sea. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]