Icebreaker Xue Long 2 warms up passion for sciences in Hong Kong
- Visit of the ‘Snow Dragon 2’ to the city helps younger generations chart new paths for discovery
Polar science may not appear to be an obvious career path for people in subtropical Hong Kong, yet the city has warmly welcomed China’s first domestically built icebreaker home after months of research in Antarctica. The five-day visit by the Xue Long 2, or “Snow Dragon 2”, returning home for its first Chinese port call, has broadened horizons for young Hongkongers.
Already, there have been discussions about involving city scientists and businesses in future missions.
The 400-foot, 14,000-tonne vessel cruised into Victoria Harbour on Monday, saluted by government helicopters, fireboats firing water streams and a police band. City leader John Lee Ka-chiu and Zheng Yanxiong, the director of the central government’s liaison office in Hong Kong, greeted the vessel’s 30-strong delegation.
Within hours of its arrival in Tsim Sha Tsui, nearly half of the tickets for public tours of the ship were snapped up. In service since 2019, the vessel is the world’s first dual-directional icebreaker, meaning it can cut through floes from bow or stern and freely rotate 360 degrees in place.
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It has world-class marine and research facilities, including a “moon pool” allowing collection of ocean samples through the hull.
The visit coincides with a two-day conference on climate change organised by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and a Hong Kong Science Museum exhibition on climate change and polar research that will run until June.
Professor Ho Kin-chung, who headed the visit organising committee, said officials from the mainland have promised that “Hong Kong scientists would be able to participate in Xue Long 2’s future missions”. Expedition deputy leader Wang Jinhui said he would also welcome local “industry participation in support and protection work”.
Hong Kong role floated for icebreaker Xue Long 2’s future polar expeditions
Science got a similar boost late last year when 17 Chinese astronauts visited, opening doors for local candidates to join the China Manned Space Agency. Such fields are welcome alternatives for young people in a city where business, law or medicine have long been priorities.
In a world facing so many challenges, it is good to see role models helping the next generation chart new paths of discovery.
