Published : 2024-11-20

On November 20, 1984, China's first Antarctic expedition team set sail on their journey.

China's first Antarctic scientific expedition involved hundreds of seafarers, scientists, and construction personnel. They were divided among two 10,000 tonne-class ocean-going vessels: the "Xiangyanghong 10" (向陽紅10號) ocean science research ship and the PLA Navy "J121" ocean salvage and rescue ship.

The Antarctic scientific expedition consisted of two major parts: the establishment and research in Antarctica, and the Southern Ocean expedition.

The small team responsible for landing and establishing the station, as well as for scientific research in Antarctica, comprised 50 people from over 20 units across more than 10 departments, the majority of whom were scientists and engineering technicians.

According to the plan, the expedition fleet was to depart from the dock of the East China Sea branch of the National Oceanic Administration at a speed of 18 nautical mph and arrive at Ushuaia Port in the Tierra del Fuego islands at the southern tip of Argentina in mid-year.

After a short stay, the fleet would proceed to the Antarctic Peninsula, finally reaching their destination in January of the following year.