NEWS
2025-09-03
The 40th Anniversary of Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE)
Editor: ATCM47 Chinese delegation
2024 marked the 40th anniversary of China’s expeditions. Since the first Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE) set foot in the Antarctic Peninsula in 1984, extensive research have been carried out in the disciplines of meteorology, oceanography, glaciology, ecosystems, space environment, etc and a comprehensive network supporting long-term observation and monitoring programs has been established. In order to reflect China’s commitment and devotion in both poles, heighten the public awareness about environmental protection and inspire young generations to carry on the great polar causes, a series of activities were held which includes exhibitions, symposiums, school outreach & education programs, open day events, commemorations & seminars on the Antarctic stations, with various publications and audio/video materials coming into being during the period of 2024 to 2025. Millions of people in China enjoyed, shared and benefited from the following in person with much more involved virtually.
1. Exhibition in Celebration of 40 Years of Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Expedition
An “Exhibition in Celebration of 40 Years of Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Expedition” was held in Beijing at the National Museum of China- the country’s largest museum from June to October 2024. Large and detailed models of icebreakers, research stations, aircrafts, scientific instruments, geological and biological specimens, meteorites collected in Antarctica, letters, diaries, historical documents together with VR devices and creative products attracted more than 2 million visitors particularly young summer-vacationer within 100 days. The widely praised exhibition was later introduced to Shanghai and Shenzhen in November and received large audiences as well in the two most populous metropolises in China.
Simultaneously in Shanghai, the themed photography exhibition “Polar Dreams” was open from June to July 2024, showcasing the precious archives of polar history to the public.
Moreover, 11 nationally authorized museum/aquariums/zoos for outreach and education of polar sciences open all year round in the cities of Guangzhou, Tianjin, Harbin, Dalian, Qingdao, Chengdu, Wuhan, Hefei, Nanjing, enabling millions in China to better understand and protect the Arctic and the Antarctic.
2. International Symposium on Polar Sciences: The 40th Anniversary of CHINARE
International Symposium on Polar Sciences: The 40th anniversary of CHINARE hosted by the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) in Shanghai from October 29 to November 1 2024 was attended by about 270 scientists, researchers, industrial specialists, policymakers, diplomats from 24 countries. On the theme of better understanding, protecting and utilizing polar regions, the event consisted of 10 thematic sessions with 162 presentations, reflected on past research outcomes and focused on cooperation in the future. The keynote speech “Green Expedition Initiative: Practices and Prospects” and the official release of “12-Year Development Outline for Clean Energy Utilization Technologies in Antarctica” during the opening ceremony were the continuation of ATCM documents Green Expedition in the Antarctic (WP036, ATCM40/CEP20, Beijing 2017) and Promote the Share of Best Practices of the Use of Renewable Energy in Antarctica (WP016, ATCM46/CEP26, Kochi 2024). The symposium culminated in multiple action plans for international collaborations including the potential pathways towards the Fifth International Polar Year (2032-33).
3. Polar Classroom Program
From June to December 2024, Polar Classroom events were delivered in 19 primary and secondary schools and universities with an audience of 10000 students across 9 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions as the outreach and education program rolled out aiming to make Arctic and Antarctic sciences and knowledge accessible to teenagers particularly in inland regional areas and of ethnic groups. The lecturers include academicians, physicists and biologists, captain of R/V Xuelong 2, designer of Qinling station, specialists in international law and journalists working at sea and on bases. Some classroom contents have been available online and on social media to benefit wider audience. Bisides, to encourage youngsters to devote in polar research and international cooperation, about 5000 volumes of books and documentaries were donated to their libraries.
4. Open Day Events
To provide an immersive experience for those interested in polar affairs, exchange ideas face to face and cement friendships, a series of Open Day events targeting different audiences were held on various occasions both at home and overseas across 2024-2025, mostly on the platforms of research vessels Xuelong and Xuelong2.
Lyttelton, New Zealand: Prior to the inauguration of Qinling Station, R/V Xuelong 2 had a port call at Lyttelton, New Zealand on January 28, 2024. Thanks to the facilitation from the City of Christchurch, the Open Day was successful with about 80 representatives from Antarctic communities and 400 visitors getting onboard, including Chinese Ambassador and Members of New Zealand Parliament. As a side event, a luncheon seminar was prepared for researchers from multiple sides to exchange ideas on enhanced cooperation.
Hong Kong, China: After 20 years of visiting Hong Kong in 2004, CHINARE returned with the debut of Xuelong 2 and embraced 7000 visitors or so on April 8-13, 2024. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) organised a two-day “Global Conference on Climate Change: Polar Studies, Environment and Climate Change” which brought together more than 2000 representatives from around the world for solution-oriented discussions. The Xuelong 2’s Gala Night was performed to welcome the countrymen’s return. A subsequent three-month “Exhibition on Polor Research and Climate Change” hosted at the Hong Kong Science Museum continued to ignite the local enthusiasm and drew a crowd of 100,000.
Qingdao, China: Simultaneously in the northern coastal city of Qingdao, R/V Xuelong started a three-day public science event, elaborating to 2000 participants on the legacy and ambitions of China's polar exploration.
Shanghai, China: At the constant requests of foreign embassies and consulates in China, Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) organised a three-day event at home port in Shanghai on June 18-20, 2024 and hosted 44 diplomats from 12 countries such as Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, South Africa, the UK, the US and Uruguay. Chinese government officials and researchers were present to elaborate on policies, research planning and to strengthen intergovernmental and scientific links. Positive feedback was received afterwards and many looked forward to more opportunities of the kind.
5. Commemorations of the 40th Anniversary of the Great Wall Station
Since the establishment on February 20, 1984, Chinese Antarctic Great Wall Station has been the frontiers of scientific research and a hub for international collaborations. In 2024/25 season, the station organised a wide range of events to celebrate its 40th birthday.
On December 29, 2024, the symposium featuring “Current Status and Changing Trends of Antarctic Ecological Environment” attracted over 80 researchers from eight countries working in the Antarctic Peninsula, 20 of whom gave a presentation on their research.
Social scientists from Germany, the Netherlands and Uruguay gathered at the Great Wall station on January 6, 2025 and exchange views on the theme of “Antarctic Environmental Protection and Governance” .
Receptions were held on the Chinese New Year (January 29, 2025) and the station’s 40-year-old birthday (February 20, 2025) respectively. Expeditioners of all neighbouring bases were invited to attend the commemorative and celebrative activities.
During the latest season, exchanges of the region are frequent. Great Wall Station received 31 visits from National Antarctic Programs like Chile, Czechia, Ecuador, Germany, Korea, the Netherlands, Russia, Thailand, Uruguay and visited most of our neighbours from time to time.
6. Commemorative Products of the 40th Anniversary of CHINARE
In addition to the above mentioned activities throughout the year, various tangible commemorative products and cultural creative products were available and popular in the market.
In 2024, China Post issued a set of commemorative envelops for the inauguration of Qinling Station and 40th anniversary of CHINARE. China Gold Coin Group minted a duo of 8-gram gold and 30-gram silver coins in memory of the milestones. China Ocean Press, the industry’s publishing house published four books, ranging from monographs on polar sciences and governance to polar-related encyclopaedia and children picture book. Throughout the exhibitions, many cultural creative products like reusable bottles, eco-friendly shopping bags, caps and outfits made from recycled plastics are best-sellers in the museums.
China takes the opportunity of 40th anniversary of CHINARE to help the public to better understand what the Chinese National Antarctic Program and the rest of the world have been doing in and how we protect and utilise the white continent. The all year round outreach & education programs sowed the seeds of peaceful use, scientific research, international cooperation - principles of Antarctic Treaty – in the minds of many people especially the young generation. Now the Antarctic community has good reason to wait and hope for the next 40 years.
Files
Fig.1 International Symposium on Polar Sciences- The 40th Anniversary of CHINARE.png
Fig.2 Global Conference on Climate Change-Polar Studies-Environment and Climate Change.png