On November 20, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of China’s first Antarctic scientific expedition, the SIO officially opened an Exhibition of Achievements of Polar Scientific Expeditions on the 40th Anniversary, and also held a special sharing and report session. This event brought together three generations of (old, middle-aged and young) polar researchers to recall the glorious past and envision the future path.

On November 20, 1984, 26 researchers from the SIO embarked on the “Xiangyanghong 10” vessel to Antarctica, marking the beginning of China”s polar scientific expeditions. Over the past 40 years, more than 320 people from the SIO have traveled to the two poles of the Earth, ranking first among scientific research institutions nationwide in terms of personnel dispatched. Among them, six served as chief scientists of expeditions, and both chief academicians in the history of China’s polar expeditions came from the SIO. For 40 years, researchers from the SIO have continuously worked hard to accumulate data and conduct innovative research in various fields such as biology, chemistry, geology and ecology at the two poles of the Earth. In August this year, the international top-tier journalNature officially published research results of the SIO based on the 12th Arctic scientific expedition, enriching and refining the theory of dynamic evolution of global oceanic ridges and generating a significant impact in the field of global polar research. The Exhibition of Achievements of Polar Scientific Expeditions on the 40th Anniversary by the SIO vividly reproduced this memorable history and the hardworking spirit of the older generation of polar researchers. It also displayed the latest research achievements of the SIO in the polar field, and many historic artifacts were exhibited for the first time.

Ten veterans who participated in China’s first Antarctic scientific expedition were invited to attend the report session. All attendees watched the documentary “Personal Experiences of China’s First Antarctic Scientific Expedition - The Story of the 26 Warriors from the Second Institute of Oceanography on the Southern Ocean Expedition”, part of the SIO “Ocean Exploration Stories” series of short videos, to revisit those years. Jin Qingming, the former deputy director of the SIO and leader of China’s first Antarctic scientific expedition-Southern Ocean expedition team, sent a message for the report session, encouraging all staff to remember history, continue to strive and create new glories.

At the session, Sui Liangren, the leader of the geology team of China’s first Antarctic expedition, recounted the beginning and end of participating in the first Antarctic expedition. Together with all staff, he reviewed the high attention given by party and state leaders to polar scientific research and the enthusiasm of the people nationwide. He recalled with emotion the team members’ sentiments for party, country and people and their spirit of never giving up and struggling hard during expedition. He encouraged the younger generation of the SIO to continue striving for the goal of “surveying China’s seas, advancing into three great oceans and landing on Antarctica”. Chen Jianfang, the deputy director and chief scientist of China’s 14th Arctic Ocean expedition, just concluded, presented a report titled “The Journey of Ice and Sea - The Footprints of the Second Institute of Oceanography in China’s Polar Scientific Expedition History”, and reviewed the history of international polar expeditions and the contributions of the SIO to China’s polar cause development. He demonstrated the significant contributions made by the Second Institute of Oceanography over the past 40 years in strengthening China’s marine research capabilities in polar regions and promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind, and pointed out the significant strategic importance of polar scientific expeditions in promoting the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind, international cooperation in addressing climate change, and maintaining global ecological security. Associate Researcher Zhang Haifeng, a young polar researcher, presented a talk titled “Cultivating Patriotism and Promoting the Antarctic Spirit”. He sincerely recounted how the “dream of Antarctica” was planted, took root, sprouted, realized and sublimated in his heart, and shared his excitement, pride, dangers and struggles during his multiple Antarctic expeditions, revealing his inner journey of gradually elevating personal pursuits to patriotism.

Director Fang Yinxia pointed out in her conclusion that the SIO has a long history, fruitful achievements and outstanding talents in polar scientific expeditions. She also expressed that the younger generation should inherit the patriotism and fighting spirit of the older generation, dare to face difficulties and shoulder heavy responsibilities, combine personal growth with national missions, and contribute new strengths to the construction of a maritime power.