GREAT WALL STATION, Antarctic, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The 26th Antarctic exploration team of China completed the task of unloading supplies on Monday and will bound for the Zhongshan Station soon.

Chinese exploration team unloads supplies at the port of the Great Wall Station in Antarctic, Nov. 16, 2009. The 26th Antarctic exploration team of China completed the task of uploading supplies from Snow Dragon exploration ship to Great Wall Station on Monday after 4 days' work. The Snow Dragon, with more than 170 scientists, workers and crew members on board, left Shanghai on Oct. 11. (Xinhua/Cui Jing) Photo Gallery>>>

    Arriving at the surrounding waters of the Great Wall Station on early Nov. 12 on the Snow Dragon exploration ship, the Chinese exploration team immediately began to unload supplies from the ship upon their arrival.

    Working around the clock in two shifts, the team members saved half of the time previously scheduled for replenishment for the station.

Chinese exploration team unloads supplies at the port of the Great Wall Station in Antarctic, Nov. 16, 2009. Photo Gallery>>>

    Up to now, the supplies unloaded from the Snow Dragon included eight 88-cubic meters oil tanks, over 1,200 tons of food, construction materials and exploration equipment, as well as 300 tons of fuels.

    Yuan Shaohong, head of the expedition team, said the completion of the unloading task has asserted them with confidence to successfully accomplish all the other tasks of the exploration.

Chinese exploration team unloads an oil tank to a lighter near the Great Wall Station in Antarctic, Nov. 16, 2009. (Xinhua/Cui Jing) Photo Gallery>>>

    The Snow Dragon, which is about to leave the Great Wall Station in a day or two if the weather permits, will head for Argentine's Ushuaia for fuel replenishment and the Zhongshan Station for the next phase of the exploration.

    With more than 170 scientists, workers and crew members on board, the Snow Dragon left Shanghai on Oct. 11 and was expected to set sail on Nov. 21 for China's Zhongshan Station on Antarctica.