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.
"Even in such a distant place, the warmth of home can still be felt, and the festive atmosphere rises here with decorations being put up," said Huang Taoming, an expedition team member.
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.
"Due to limited internet access, we can't watch the Spring Festival Gala, so we organized our own celebration," said Li Jie, I the integrated team leader of the Xuelong 2.
"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," said Liang Zhourui, another team member.
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.
"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," he said.
The entire crew of the Xuelong icebreaker also sent their best wishes to Chinese people across the world.
"Happy Spring Festival to Chinese people, and may the Year of the Snake bring prosperity and good fortune," they said.
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.
Chinese expedition team celebrates Spring Festival in Antarctica
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
