Advanced container homes safeguard China's Antarctic expedition amid harsh conditions

Members of China's Antarctic expedition team at Kunlun Station, the highest-altitude Chinese research station on the continent, are using upgraded container homes to better cope with the region's harsh climatic conditions.

Kunlun Station is located in Dome A, the highest ice dome on the Antarctic Plateau. The area offers an ideal location for scientific research in fields like glaciology, astronomy, geology, and geophysics, thanks to its unique geography and natural conditions. However, its harsh climate makes it one of the most inaccessible places on Earth for humans.

Living at an altitude of 4,087 meters, with an average annual temperature of minus 52.5 degrees Celsius, the expedition team at Kunlun Station has adopted specially designed container houses to help them withstand the extreme cold and low atmospheric pressure in the region.

"Our main mission for this Antarctic expedition is to deploy and operate our self-developed polar research pressure-resistant buildings at Kunlun Station, creating an environment similar to a plain. Just like a space station, these houses will separate us from the harsh external conditions, with an independent environmental control system inside. They will significantly improve the living and working conditions and greatly reduce the physiological damage caused by the extreme environment on the team," said Ye Zhiwu, a member of China's 41st Antarctic expedition team.

In addition, the upgraded container cabins, with more space and enhanced functionality, now accommodate all expedition team members at Kunlun Station, while significantly improving living conditions.

This advancement marks a key step in China's inland scientific research in Antarctica, according to Ye.

"After the building is pressurized, the pressure difference between the interior and exterior reaches 25 kPa, with a temperature difference of up to 110°C. Ordinary buildings cannot meet the strength and insulation requirements for such conditions. Through advancements in structural and material technology, we have achieved high strength, excellent airtightness, superior insulation, and lightweight construction for the building. We also have overcome challenges related to the rapid assembly of modular buildings and airtightness, allowing for fast setup with fewer people. With reserved interfaces, we can expand the building size next year, like putting together building blocks," said Ye.

Advanced container homes safeguard China's Antarctic expedition amid harsh conditions

Officials from the European Union (EU) and Finland have voiced concerns after the White House said it has been discussing "a range of options" to acquire Greenland, including the use of the military.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told a press briefing in Cairo on Thursday that the message from the U.S. is "extremely concerning," and "not really helping the stability of the world."

Kallas called on all parties to stick to international law, adding that relevant response measures has been discussed among EU members.

"The international law is very clear, and we have to stick to it. It is clear that it is the only thing that protects smaller countries, and that is why it is in the interest of all of us. And we discussed this today, as well, that we uphold the international law on all levels," she said.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on Thursday described recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump and members of his administration on Greenland as "worrying," while reiterating Finland's support for Denmark and Greenland's right to self-determination.

"Finland and the other Nordic countries have exceptional expertise in Arctic conditions, and we are happy to make use of that together with our North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies to strengthen Arctic security, but it cannot be done by threatening allies," she said at a press conference at Finnish parliament after an extraordinary meeting of the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee.

Johannes Koskinen, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, said it was "unprecedented" for threats of violence to be made within NATO against another member in connection with seizing territory, adding that such threats run counter to the United Nations Charter and that their inconsistency with international law should be underscored at all levels.

EU, Finnish officials express concerns over US remarks on Greenland