China Launches 43rd Antarctic Expedition With More Than 600 Researchers and Support Staff

China has launched its 43rd Antarctic scientific expedition, sending more than 600 researchers and support personnel from over 100 domestic institutions on a mission focused on polar research, station upgrades, environmental monitoring and the testing of domestically developed equipment.

A departure ceremony was held at Nanshan Port in Sanya, Hainan Province, on Saturday, Nov. 7, marking the beginning of the expedition organized by China's Ministry of Natural Resources, according to Xinhua.

The mission is supported by three vessels, including China's icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2, as well as an additional oceanographic research vessel. The team is expected to return to China in April 2027 after completing its work in Antarctica.

The expedition has several major objectives. These include upgrading China's existing polar research stations and logistics infrastructure, conducting multidisciplinary scientific surveys, monitoring environmental changes and advancing research in areas considered important to international polar science.

One focus will be the assessment and preparation of infrastructure at existing stations. The team is expected to carry out preliminary work related to upgrades at China's Great Wall Station and Zhongshan Station, where facilities have been operating for many years. Inspections will include buildings, fuel storage facilities and other infrastructure needed to support long-term scientific work in the harsh Antarctic environment.

Researchers will also continue investigations into subglacial lakes, which are bodies of water trapped beneath thick Antarctic ice sheets. According to a detailed Xinhua report, the expedition plans to conduct clean hot-water drilling through the ice above the Qilin subglacial lake, followed by in-situ observation and sampling.

The work follows a major achievement during China's previous Antarctic expedition, when researchers successfully drilled through an ice sheet approximately 3,413 meters thick. Further research into subglacial environments could help scientists understand the history of Antarctic ice, the movement of water beneath glaciers and the conditions in which microbial life may exist.

The mission will also investigate the Southern Ocean and its ecosystems. Researchers plan to use moored observation systems, seabed sampling equipment, biological trawling and automated monitoring tools to study physical oceanography, marine chemistry and marine biology. These observations are important for understanding how climate change affects ocean circulation, marine ecosystems and the Antarctic environment.

Another objective is to test domestically developed equipment in extreme conditions. The expedition will deploy technologies including the AR500 large unmanned helicopter, a third-generation Xuebao six-wheel-drive vehicle and other polar logistics systems. Researchers will also conduct field validation of a heavy tracked vehicle designed for operations on Antarctic ice and snow.

Such equipment is intended to improve China's ability to transport personnel and supplies, carry out inland scientific work and maintain research infrastructure in remote locations. Antarctic conditions, including extreme cold, strong winds and difficult terrain, provide a demanding environment for evaluating the reliability of new technologies.

The expedition will also involve international cooperation. Chinese researchers are expected to work with partners from countries including Norway, Chile and Bulgaria on research related to ice sheets, geology and snow and ice conditions. Scientists from Thailand, France, Belgium and Portugal, as well as researchers from Hong Kong and Macao, are also expected to participate in parts of the mission, according to Xinhua.

The departure comes shortly after China adopted a new law governing Antarctic activities and environmental protection. The law, passed by the National People's Congress Standing Committee on Nov. 6, will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. Xinhua reported that it establishes a legal framework for permits, environmental protection, inspections and legal responsibilities related to Chinese activities in Antarctica.

China is a party to the Antarctic Treaty System, which provides for peaceful use of the continent and international scientific cooperation. Its research activities are therefore conducted within an international framework that also places strong emphasis on environmental protection.

The latest expedition demonstrates China's continued investment in polar research, but its long-term value will depend on the scientific findings produced, the effectiveness of environmental safeguards and the degree of cooperation with the international research community.