On November 7, China's 43rd Antarctic Expedition team officially set sail from Sanya, Hainan Province, bound for Antarctica. As the inaugural Antarctic expedition during China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–2030), this mission focuses on completing on-site construction and final acceptance inspections for Qinling Station, executing key frontier polar science and technology projects, and conducting field testing and applications of domestically developed equipment.
Today, the global climate and environment are undergoing profound transformations. Antarctica serves not only as a critical component of Earth's natural environment and ecosystem, but also as an essential frontier for humanity to explore natural mysteries and achieve new scientific breakthroughs.
As a Consultative Party to the Antarctic Treaty, China remains committed to the peaceful utilization of Antarctica and continuous polar research, contributing significantly to climate change mitigation, environmental protection, scientific discovery, and the shared interests of humankind. Follow the journey of China's 43rd Antarctic Expedition team as they embark on this scientific mission across the ice sheet.
Fully complete on-site construction and final acceptance inspections for supporting facilities at Qinling Station—including the main building, communications systems, and wastewater treatment facilities—further strengthening operational support and scientific research capabilities.
Advance long-term environmental monitoring programs across polar oceans and polynyas.
Conduct site surveys and topographic mapping for proposed supporting facilities in Marie Byrd Land.
Carry out preliminary preparation work for the upgrade and renovation of Great Wall Station and Zhongshan Station.
Perform rapid clean hot-water drilling through the overlying ice sheet of Subglacial Lake Qilin to conduct in-situ subglacial observations and sample collection.
Investigate the impacts of climate change on the Southern Ocean ecosystem through multidisciplinary surveys and long-term monitoring in physical oceanography, marine chemistry, and marine biology, utilizing moored subsurface buoys, box corers, biological trawls, and automated observation systems.
Conduct Antarctic field testing and operational applications of domestically developed equipment, including the AR500 large unmanned helicopter, the third-generation "Snow Leopard" 6×6 wheeled vehicle, and next-generation pressurized modular building clusters for inland expeditions.
Perform ice-sheet operational validation for the THT550 high-horsepower tracked tractor, advance the development of deep-snow compaction machinery, and test a prototype mobile, fully modular pre-assembled station.
Collaborate with international partners—including Norway, Chile, and Bulgaria—on joint research covering the Antarctic ice sheet, geology, and snow-ice environments.
Host researchers from countries such as Thailand, France, Belgium, and Portugal, alongside scientific personnel from Hong Kong and Macao, China, to participate in the expedition.