Chinese expedition team crosses equator on way to South Pole

China's 41st Antarctic expedition team on Wednesday passed the equator on its way to the South Pole for a seven-month-mission.

The expedition, organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, set sail earlier this month from Guangzhou in south China's Guangdong Province, with the team members traveling aboard the research icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon and Snow Dragon 2.

As the two vessels continue their journey southward, they are now preparing to embrace the challenging weather conditions of the Southern Hemisphere's westerly winds.

"Since leaving Guangzhou, we have not encountered bad weather yet and the sea conditions have been favorable. At current speed, we expect to reach the Lombok Strait around November 8. After that, we may be impacted by a swell and we will keep an eye on it. Once we head further south, we'll begin to focus on the westerly winds," said Liu Sufang, a meteorologist on board the Snow Dragon 2.

Over the coming months, researchers will build the supporting infrastructure for the Qinling Station in Antarctica, investigate the impact of climate change on the Antarctic ecosystem, and conduct international research and logistics cooperation.

Chinese expedition team crosses equator on way to South Pole

Chinese expedition team crosses equator on way to South Pole

Chinese expedition team crosses equator on way to South Pole

Chinese expedition team crosses equator on way to South Pole

Chinese expedition team crosses equator on way to South Pole

Enduring friendships between giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in southwest China's Sichuan Province has been captured in recently released footage, showcasing the success of the base's science-backed animal welfare practices.

Captured at the base's Moonlight Delivery House, Star Giant Panda Nursery House and No. 1 Giant Panda Villa, the video clips feature various pairs of same-age pandas joyfully playing and wrestling together.

The practice of housing same-age pandas together is a form of social enrichment, designed to promote interaction and behavioral diversity among individuals.

Panda enrichment refers to scientific conservation methods employed in captivity to enhance the welfare of these national treasures, meet their physiological and psychological needs, and encourage them to display more natural behaviors.

The Chengdu base is a world-renowned facility for ex-situ conservation, scientific research and breeding, public education, and eco-tourism. It is globally recognized for protecting and breeding endangered Chinese wildlife species such as giant pandas and red pandas.

Footage captures panda friendships at Chengdu base