Icebreaker sets sail on China's 34th Antarctic expedition

China's research icebreaker Xuelong set sail from Shanghai early Wednesday beginning the country's 34th Antarctic expedition.

China to build Antarctic astronomical observatory

China is near to building a South Pole Astronomical Observatory, according to four astronomers onboard the Chinese scientific icebreaker Xuelong (or Snow Dragon), which left the port of Shanghai Wednesday for China's 33th Antarctic Expedition.

Xuelong to try and free itself from the ice

A Chinese icebreaker stuck in the Antarctic has cleared a path through the ice one kilometer in length.

The deputy director of the Xue Long, or Snow Dragon, says the vessel will use the channel to pick up as much speed as possible in order to free itself from the ice. 

The team, which has enough water to last them a month, is now waiting for favorable weather conditions.