Polar research exhibition opens

Polar expedition: Replicating the design of polar exploration icebreaker Xuelong 2, an area of the exhibition allows visitors to feel as if they have boarded the vessel.

Scientific research: Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan (second right) visits the "Polar Research & Climate Change" exhibition.

The Science Museum today opened the "Polar Research & Climate Change" exhibition to showcase the mission and achievements of China's polar exploration icebreaker Xuelong 2. Admission is free.

Announcing the opening of the exhibition, which runs until June 26, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department said Xuelong 2 is China's first domestically built medium-sized icebreaker and the world's first icebreaker to adopt bidirectional icebreaking technology.

It added that the icebreaker's commissioning has equipped China to lead large-scale polar expeditions and enhanced the country’s capabilities of investigation and research in polar marine environments.

The department also noted that the exhibition has replicated the design of Xuelong 2 to allow visitors to feel as if they have boarded the vessel and learn about China's development of polar research.

In addition to watching videos of ice breaking in the polar regions inside the replica vessel, visitors can view highlight exhibits such as the 1:100 scale model of Xuelong 2 and specimens collected directly from polar regions.

They can also learn about the features and research topics of the scientific observation and research stations in China, the geography and wildlife of the North and South Pole as well as the climate change situation.

Members of the public will be able to gain a deeper understanding of polar research through the exhibition and reflect on how to reduce their carbon footprint in daily life, combating the challenge of climate change.

Speaking at the exhibition’s opening ceremony, Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan highlighted that climate change is a prevailing global challenge.

He noted that human activities have increased carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere, leading to a rise in the global temperature, and it is polar research work that helps scientists understand the impacts and causes of climate change, which is crucial for predicting future climate change.

After completing their latest Antarctic expedition early next month, Xuelong 2 and its polar research team will make Hong Kong their first port of entry on the return journey to the country.

The vessel is expected to dock at Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, offering the public an opportunity to visit the advanced polar research facilities onboard. Its crew and scientists will join a sharing session with Hong Kong students at the Science Museum on April 10, the department added.