The five-day visit of China's first domestically built polar icebreaker, "Xuelong 2," to Hong Kong successfully concluded on the 12th. The ship departed that day, with many Hong Kong citizens participating in a farewell ceremony at the Ocean Terminal. The atmosphere was warm and touching.

Five members of the "Xuelong 2" scientific expedition, including Wei Fuhai, the deputy leader of the 40th Chinese National Antarctic Expedition, shook hands with Hong Kong officials such as Huang Shuk-han, Permanent Secretary for the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the HKSAR Government, and Wong Chun-wai, Commissioner for Climate Change.

Escorting and accompanied by five fishing vessels, fireboats, and marine police vessels, "Xuelong 2" set off from Tsim Sha Tsui to Lei Yue Mun along Victoria Harbour and officially departed from Hong Kong to its Shanghai base in preparation for its next polar scientific exploration.

During the farewell for the "Xuelong 2," Hong Kong citizen Ms. Ren said that she was very proud of the "Xuelong 2." "I regret that I don't know how to make an online appointment and missed the rare opportunity to visit the ship."

A group of kindergarten students stand on both sides of Victoria Harbour, waving goodbye to the departing "Xuelong 2".

HK citizens take a photo with Xuelong 2

On the 8th, the "Xuelong 2", which was carrying out China's 40th Antarctic expedition mission, visited Hong Kong on its way back. This was the first time that the "Xuelong 2" had visited Hong Kong. It is reported that during the five days that the "Xuelong 2" was in Hong Kong, a total of more than 7200 citizens boarded the "Xuelong 2" to visit. Together with a series of exchanges, cultural evenings and exhibitions, it is estimated that nearly 100,000 people participated.

Hong Kongers who have visited the country say:"Proud, deserving of being made in China", "Chinese-researched ships will not lose to foreign ships."

Wei Fuhai, deputy head of the expedition team, said that the "Xuelong 2" visiting Hong Kong is an important part of the 40th anniversary celebration of China's polar expedition. He hopes that this visit will further enhance Hong Kong citizens' understanding and cognition of the country's polar expedition work, inspire young people's interest and enthusiasm in exploring the mysteries of nature and paying attention to environmental protection, and also looks forward to more scientists from Hong Kong participating in the country's polar expedition work in the future.