Date: May 8, 2021

Source: Publicity Department of Party Committee, Cultural Quality Education Office

Author: Deng Shuangquan, Huang Junwen

Photographer: Du Anqi

Liu Xiaohan, a researcher and doctoral supervisor in the Chinese Academy of Sciences, spoke on Chinese Scientists’ Antarctic Dream: Past, Present and Future in the 344th JNU Century Forum of Cultural Quality Education, held on JNU's main campus on April 29 by the JNU Publicity Department of the Party Committee and the Cultural Quality Education Office.

Liu described the natural environment of Antarctica, Chinese teams' life there and achievements in this expedition.

(Liu Xiaohan lecturing)

When the Chinese Antarctic Research Expedition went to Antarctica for its first research in 1984, Liu said, it had to finish building a station and leave before the end of summer because back then it didn't have an icebreaker or anti-icing ship. The Great Wall Station, set up in February 1985, took only 20 days to establish, after 20 days of unloading after arrival. The team had to do high-strength physical labor and averaged only four or five hours of sleep a day in bitterly cold sleeping bags covered with thick ice. All its members knew they might die there, having signed a life or death contract.

(Liu Xiaohan describing Antartica's natural climate.)

Nowadays, Liu said, expedition members can use wifi to watch videos or make video calls to their families, warding off Antarctic Syndrome. Nearby research teams from other countries, who often contact the Chinese expedition, visit the research station to use the internet from time to time.

At the end of the lecture, Liu divided hot research topics of international Antarctic exploration into three parts – issues of environmental science, resources science and basic science – and introduced China's future research direction and focus.

(The onsite audience)