The nation’s first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, will dock in Hong Kong for five days from today, with 300 places for Macau students to visit the ship, Macau Green Environment Protection Association President Ho Kin-chung said on Saturday.
Ho made the remarks during a press conference about the trip on Saturday at the Macau Science Centre (MSC), adding that the association will organise local students to pay a visit to the vessel anchored in Hong Kong.
Ho said the vessel will arrive in Hong Kong for the very first time today for a five-day visit, accompanied by many top-tier scientists, including the team leader of the country’s 40th Antarctic expedition.
The icebreaker will be open for public visits free of charge between April 9 and 12, Ho said, adding that a series of events will be held.
Ho said he believed that the activity aims to deepen the public’s understanding of polar scientific research and exploration, polar climate change, and other knowledge.
In particular, Ho said, it was of great significance to STEM* education and the promotion of scientific culture for students. Ho also said that “Snow Dragon 2” during her visit to Hong Kong can receive up to 6,000 visitors, of which 60 percent has been set aside for students, while the remainder has been earmarked for the general public and researchers.
Ho also noted that his association will hold a special polar exhibition at the MSC in October to strengthen the public’s understanding of polar ecology and environmental protection.
*STEM is an acronym for the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
This aerial photo taken on January 6 this year shows the nation’s research icebreaker Xuelong 2 (“Snow Dragon 2”) conducting a scientific expedition in the Amundsen Sea. The Amundsen Sea is an arm of the Southern Ocean off Marie Byrd Land in western Antarctica. – Xinhua
