Yang Kai (L) and Geng Dong operate China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2 to break the ice, Nov. 29, 2024. Currently on China's 41st Antarctic expedition, research icebreakers Xuelong and Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon and Snow Dragon 2, carried out icebreaking operations surrounding Zhongshan Station, a Chinese research base in Antarctica on Friday. The ships will begin unloading operations after reaching the designated anchoring position. (Xinhua/Huang Taoming)