The Chinese research vessel and icebreaker Xuelong (Snow Dragon) sails at the Sulawesi Sea on Nov. 12, 2013. Xuelong left east China's Shanghai on Nov. 7, setting sail on the country's 30th scientific expedition to Antarctica. A 256 member team, including scientists from Taiwan and Thailand, will work on 30 assignments. They will take supplies to China's Antarctic stations, set up China's fourth research station, the "Taishan", and chose a site for another new station. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

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Icebreaker Xuelong to leave Shanghai for scientific expedition

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SHANGHAI, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese research vessel and icebreaker Xuelong (Snow Dragon) left Shanghai on Thursday, setting sail on the country's 30th scientific expedition to Antarctica.

The 256 member team include scientists from Taiwan and Thailand. The average age is 36, with the oldest 61 and the youngest 21, according to Liu Shunlin, chief scientist and leader of the team. Full story