This Day, That Year: Nov 19

Editor's note: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China.

In November 1984, China organized its first Antarctic expedition, as seen in the item from China Daily.

The country has conducted Antarctic expeditions every year since then and Chinese scientists have recorded amazing achievements in South Pole exploration.

The country has built four Antarctic research bases-the Great Wall in 1985, Zhongshan in 1989, Kunlun in 2009 and Taishan in 2014. The fifth one at Victoria Land on the Ross Sea is under construction, and will be put into service around 2022.

So far, the country has dispatched 36 Antarctic expeditions.

China launched its latest Antarctic expedition last month, with 413 scientists, researchers and support staff.

This voyage saw China's first domestically built research icebreaker, Xuelong 2, embarking on its maiden journey.

It is the country's second icebreaker after China purchased its first polar research icebreaker from Ukraine in 1993.

Xuelong 2 was jointly designed by Aker Arctic Technology in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, and the Marine Design and Research Institute in Shanghai. Construction began in 2016.

The vessel is 122.5 meters long, 22.3 meters wide and has a displacement of 13,996 metric tons. With a maximum speed of 15 knots, or 27.8 kilometers per hour, it can sail more than 37,000 km in a single voyage and carry out 60-day expeditions with 90 crew members and researchers.

Besides the ship, China has enhanced its air logistical capacity. The country has selected a location for its first airfield in Antarctica. During its 32nd expedition, the first fixed-wing aircraft, Xueying 601, was put into service.

The airfield will be near the Zhongshan Station and will be equipped with navigation equipment, refueling facilities and a waiting area, according to the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration of the Ministry of Natural Resources.