Icebreaker.jpg (Photo : Reuters)
Chinese President Xi Jinping's recent visit to the Chinese icebreaker Xue Long in Australia has led China's maritime administration to pledge commitment to enhancing its capacity for polar expeditions according to the Global Times.
Following Xi's tour of the expedition vessel, which was at the time docked at a port in Australia to replenish resources, officials of the maritime administration conducted a series of seminars in Beijing and Shanghai to discuss China's work and strategy in the maritime field.
Staff also held talks in three of China's four research bases in Antarctica.
The work of China's State Oceanic Administration (SOA) is centered on enhancing the capability of China's expedition in the Arctic and the Antarctic as well as providing further support to research work in Antarctica, according to Liu Cigui, director of the SOA.
Meanwhile, Chen Lianeng, deputy director of the SOA, urged innovation in China's maritime explorations and called for further development in the country's maritime science and technology.
During his visit to Xue Long at Hobart port, Xi dropped by an exhibit celebrating the 30th anniversary of the country's polar explorations.
The president addressed the crew of the icebreaker and wished them success in their expedition.
One of Xue Long's main goals in this current mission is to survey an area in Antarctica where China will be building its own airstrip to benefit its research work in the region.
