Yesterday (the 12th), China's first independently built polar scientific research icebreaker, Xuelong 2, ended a five-day visit to Hong Kong and set sail for Shanghai for replenishment in preparation for its next polar scientific research expedition.

In the past week, Hong Kong has been very lively due to the arrival of the Xuelong 2:"Snow Dragon 2" is hung on both sides of Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong welcomes you!" The banner of the Hong Kong SAR Government Flying Service flew low to pay tribute; the highest ceremony in the shipping industry, the "Water Arch", welcomed the guests; an endless stream of citizens came to visit... According to statistics, the boarding event received a total of 7200 visitors, which is the original limit. 2.5 times. Faced with the enthusiasm of Hong Kong compatriots, the "Snow Dragon 2" used a series of rich activities to present popular science courses in various forms and solid content:Opening up boarding and visiting ships, exchanges and dialogues with students, and sharing scientific research stories has set off a scientific craze in Hong Kong. As China's first independently built polar scientific research icebreaker, the "Xuelong 2" has assembled a number of applications of the latest scientific research results. Hong Kong residents boarded the ship and visited it, making the "Snow Dragon 2" an open platform for the SAR to experience the country's scientific and technological achievements up close. "This is a vivid and profound education on patriotism.""We must study hard and become a scientific researcher on this ship again in the future."... Amid the shock of seeing is believing and personal experience, the Hong Kong people, especially young people, The sense of national pride has been further enhanced, and the sense of national identity has also deepened in a subtle way.

Hong Kong has always been a witness, participant and contributor to the development of science and technology in the motherland. In fact, this historic visit to Hong Kong is not the first encounter between "Xuelong" and Xiangjiang. As early as 20 years ago, the "Xuelong" polar research vessel held an open day event in Hong Kong. In recent years, representative scientific research teams from various fields of the country have visited Hong Kong. For example, at the end of last year, the Chinese Manned Space Engineering delegation caused another round of "space fever" in Hong Kong. These facts fully reflect the central government's consistent attention and care for Hong Kong. When parting, I am always reluctant to part. But we believe that parting is for a better goodbye. The shock brought by the arrival of the "Snow Dragon 2" in Hong Kong will definitely inspire more young people in Hong Kong to devote themselves to scientific research and contribute more SAR wisdom and strength to the country's polar exploration cause.

Farewell, "Xuelong 2": Hong Kong Embarks on a New Journey to Tread on Ice