China's Xuelong 2 icebreaker has reached waters off Zhongshan Station and begun icebreaking operations as part of the country’s 42nd Antarctic expedition, a 19-month mission advancing major scientific research and international collaboration in polar conditions. The Xuelong, which completed resupply in Hobart, Australia, has crossed the westerlies and is sailing toward the station. It is expected to reach waters about 60 km from Zhongshan Station on Dec. 1. "The two vessels are carrying about 2,000 tons of supplies for the Antarctic Zhongshan Station. Over the next two weeks, depending on ice conditions, we'll be unloading the cargo using both sea-ice vehicles and helicopter sling operations," said Wei Fuhai, Leader of China's 42nd Antarctic Expedition. The expedition, supported by both the Xuelong and Xuelong 2, will conduct multi-disciplinary scientific surveys, advance several major national research projects, and test domestically developed equipment under polar conditions. China's 42nd Antarctic expedition team set sail from Shanghai on Nov. 1 for a 19-month scientific mission, which is expected to conclude in May 2026 when both vessels return to China. The expedition includes more than 500 members from over 80 institutions on the Chinese mainland, along with researchers from more than 10 countries and regions, such as Thailand, Chile and Portugal, as well as China's Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, in support of broader international scientific collaboration. SHOTLIST: At Sea - Recent 1. Aerial shots of Xuelong 2 icebreaker moving through sea ice; 2. Various of icebreaker, sea ice; Hobart, Australia - Recent 3. Various of crew members passing supplies along gangway; At Sea - Recent 4. Supplies on board; 5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Wei Fuhai, head, China's 42nd Antarctic Expedition (starting with shots 3-4/ending with shots 6-8): "The two vessels are carrying about 2,000 tons of supplies for the Antarctic Zhongshan Station. Over the next two weeks, depending on ice conditions, we'll be unloading the cargo using both sea-ice vehicles and helicopter sling operations."; 6. Crew members on bridge; 7. Crew member in helicopter; 8. Aerial shot of sea ice; 9. Various of icebreakers moving through sea ice; 10. Various of crew members discussing, checking monitors; 11. Various of equipments on board. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]