Antarctica
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Antarctica

Antarctica
Antarctica
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Antarctica. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
6 January, 2025
China says its Tan Suo San Hao (Explorer Three) icebreaker is its first capable of scientific and archaeological research in deep and distant seas. Photo: CCTV
Science

China launches icebreaker to help forge path in research and Arctic influence

In announcing Tan Suo San Hao launch, state media says its Chinese engineers broke through foreign-controlled technological bottlenecks.

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China icebreaker drops off supplies

Science

China opens its first atmospheric monitoring station in Antarctica

Australia

Penguin ‘Gus’ released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach

The bird – who soon loved seeing his reflection in a mirror – was found, very undernourished, on sand dunes 3,500km north of the Antarctic coast.

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A male emperor penguin dubbed Gus, shortly before being released back into the ocean off the coast of Western Australia. Photo: via AP
Australia

First emperor penguin known to reach Australia found on tourist beach

Adult male was found on a popular tourist beach in temperate southwest Australia – about 3,500km north of its Antarctic home’s icy waters.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong college helps design device included in national Antarctic expedition

Hong Kong College of Technology collaborates with mainland automotive research institute to develop system for piece of equipment dubbed Xuexiao 2.

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China’s coastguard

US coastguard eyes China, Russia in making Indo-Pacific a ‘top’ priority

Geostrategic importance and criticality to global trade cited amid ‘active’ cooperation this year between Beijing and Moscow in Arctic Ocean.

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A research ship passes a white rainbow in the ice-strewn East-Siberian Sea off the Arctic Ocean. Photo: Shutterstock
TV shows and streaming video

Discovery of explorer Shackleton’s ship Endurance in Nat Geo documentary

Film tells 2 remarkable stories, of how wreck was found 3km underwater in the Antarctic and Shackleton’s 1916 escape from the icebound ship.

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Science

China plans to send crewed submersible to bottom of Arctic seabed

The country announced a new exploration vessel as part of its growing presence in polar regions.

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Iceland

Police in Iceland call off search at ice cave collapse that killed 1 man, saying no one is missing

A group of 23 foreign tourists were on an organised tour of the glacier Breidamerkurjokull with a guide when the cave collapsed on Sunday.

Rescue teams at the scene after an ice cave partially collapsed at the Breidamerkurjokull glacier in southeastern Iceland on Monday. Photo: TOD2 / Vilhelm Gunnarsson via AP
Science

Chinese-led study finds uneven polar ice melt could cause global disruption

Ice sheets and sea ice are melting faster in Northern Hemisphere than Southern Hemisphere, which could trigger another climate event: paper.

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Scientists say the asynchronous melting of the polar ice caps - that is, they are melting at different times - could have a dramatic effect on the climate. Photo: AFP
Style Edit

Style Edit: How Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative champions marine protection

Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative supports Australian marine biologist Ben Fitzpatrick in his quest to keep Ningaloo Coast and Exmouth Gulf safe from development

US-China relations

Ice Pact: US, Canada and Finland sign shipbuilding deal in challenge to China

Trilateral agreement announced at the Nato summit will see collaboration on the building of polar icebreakers.

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Americas and the Caribbean

Exclusive | What is Milei’s China agenda? Argentina’s envoy on trade, space and Global South

Buenos Aires’ Beijing ambassador, Marcelo Suarez Salvia, says the two countries are navigating towards ‘promising horizon’ of opportunities.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
Science

Chinese scientists find diehard moss that might survive and thrive on Mars

Researchers in China say a small desert plant that can be revived after years in freezing, dry conditions may become a pioneer species in space.

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A team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences found that a desert moss species could withstand the harsh conditions of the Martian environment. Photo: Handout
Science

China’s expanding icebreaker fleet welcomes Jidi, its newest member

The country’s four icebreakers have made year-round scientific expeditions to the geopolitically important polar regions possible.

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Canada

British explorer Shackleton’s last ship found off Canada coast

Ernest Shackleton died on the Quest on his final expedition to Antarctica, though the vessel remained in use until it sank in the 1960s.

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Science

Chinese drone completes world’s first delivery on Mount Everest

DJI’s FlyCart 30 could ‘revolutionise’ mountaineering logistics and safety, while reducing garbage, but the tech company faces an uphill climb in US Congress.

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Drones could one day help reduce demands on local Nepalese guides who make treacherous climbs to remove the tonnes of waste discarded by thousands of climbers, and even deliver life-saving supplies to people in distress. Photo: Xinhua
Asian cinema: Chinese films

Review | Woof Woof Daddy: Aaron Kwok plays a reincarnated mutt in doggy mess

Aaron Kwok plays a father who works in a factory and moonlights as a rock star, and is killed in a traffic accident. After 24 years, he comes back as a dog in this awful comedy with no redeeming features.

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Science

China raises stakes in SpaceX internet rivalry, claims higher orbit for SkyNet

Developer CASC said initial satellite in the ambitious broadband constellation was sent 20,000km above the Earth where it will test core technologies.

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CUHK’s global climate conference

The Chinese University of Hong Kong leads climate-centric academic activities to align with Xue Long 2’s first Hong Kong visit

CUHK was the only academic partner invited to co-organise activities to mark the visit by the Chinese-made icebreaker after the successful completion of China’s 40th Antarctic scientific expedition.

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CUHK
CUHK organised the “Global Conference on Climate Change: Polar Studies, Environment and Climate Change”.
Hong Kong environmental issues

Xue Long 2 visit clears way for Hongkongers to join national missions: experts

Scientists buoyed after pledge by mainland Chinese officials that Hongkongers will be able to join future polar research missions.

The Xue Long 2 gets a warm welcome in Tsim Sha Tsui. The vessel has departed the city for Shanghai. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong society

Editorial | Icebreaker Xue Long 2 warms up passion for sciences in Hong Kong

Visit of the ‘Snow Dragon 2’ to the city helps younger generations chart new paths for discovery.

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Hong Kong society

Chinese polar research icebreaker Xue Long 2 gets warm welcome in Hong Kong

Xue Long 2 docks at Ocean Terminal and opens to visitors in first visit to Chinese port on return from exploration of Antarctica.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong role floated for icebreaker Xue Long 2’s future polar expeditions

Chief Executive John Lee praises visit, the vessel’s first to a Chinese port after completing recent polar expedition.

Xue Long 2 arrives in Victoria Harbour. The public will be able to visit the ship by applying for a spot through an online ballot. Photo: May Tse
Business of climate change

One Earth Summit: Hong Kong aims to rapidly align with global disclosure rules

Government plans to establish a clear pathway on sustainability reporting for businesses in Hong Kong this year, a move that is ‘essential’ to ‘reinforcing Hong Kong’s leading position on the international sustainable-finance map’, says financial services secretary.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu speaks at the inaugural One Earth Summit at Regala Skycity Hotel in Hong Kong on March 25, 2024. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Hong Kong environmental issues

Hong Kong to receive icebreaker Xue Long 2 for first time in April

Quota of 3,000 people can visit the vessel free of charge at the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui from April 9 to 12.

Extreme fitness

How to get to South Pole? 1 record-breaking woman started by googling it

Preet Chandi, appearing in Hong Kong on International Women’s Day, reveals how being told to get married and conform to expectations ‘lit a fire’ in her and fuelled her three Antarctic expeditions.

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