The nation’s 40th Chinese Antarctic scientific expedition team - in Hong Kong on board the first domestically built Antarctic research icebreaker Xuelong 2 - shared their polar research and exploration experiences with students at the Science Museum today.

Chinese Polar Research Institute of China (Chinese Arctic & Antarctic Administration) researcher Yang Huigen, whose expertise includes the aurora borealis or Northern Lights, told the students that the successful construction of Xuelong 2 demonstrates the country’s mastery of polar expedition technology.

During the discussion, some 250 students thanked the team for sharing their fascinating insights and experience.

Moderating at the forum was Rebecca Lee, who is well known for being both the first woman and the first person from Hong Kong to visit the Arctic, the Antarctic and the summit of Mount Everest. She lauded the students for their insightful questions to the expedition team.

The Environment & Ecology Bureau’s Commissioner for Climate Change Wong Chuen-fai said that by making use of this unique opportunity to board the Xuelong 2 and take part in related activities, citizens can gain a better understanding of the country’s scientific achievements.

“This vessel is designed for scientists to conduct research on it, rather than for tourists to board it. So this is a very rare chance for people in Hong Kong to have the opportunity to get on board to understand the research work there, the progress made there, the achievements we have made so far as well as the contribution of our nation towards the global agenda in combating climate change.

“I would hope that fellow citizens in Hong Kong will make use of this valuable opportunity to get on board the vessel to understand more about the progress and achievements of our scientists, to understand the rationale or relationship between climate change and our daily life.”