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CUHK leads Hong Kong scientists to participate in China’s Antarctic expedition for the first time Flag presentation and farewell ceremony held today
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) participated today (1 November) in the send-off event of China’s 41st Antarctic expedition jointly organised by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources and People’s Government of Guangdong Province in Nansha, Guangzhou. Six scientists from Hong Kong universities will join this expedition, the first group of Hong Kong scientists to participate in China’s polar exploration. CUHK organised Hong Kong scientists to join the farewell ceremony for the expedition team.
In August 2024, CUHK and the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC) signed the Framework Agreement for Strategic Cooperation, setting out the terms of a long-term collaboration, including plans to establish the Hong Kong Polar Science Innovation Centre, which will connect Hong Kong with the mainland and the global community in the fields of polar science and technological innovation, and support Hong Kong scientists’ participation in polar expeditions, cutting-edge scientific research and the development of innovative technologies, fostering Hong Kong’s progress as an international innovation and technology hub.
Among the six scientists taking part in the country’s 41st Antarctic expedition, four are from CUHK and two are from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). The list of the scientists is as follows (Please refer to the attachment for details):
- Professor Alex Chow Tat-shing (Chairman, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, CUHK)
- Professor Martin Tsui Tsz-ki (Associate Professor, School of Life Sciences and Department of Earth and Environmental Science, CUHK)
- Professor Liu Lin (Associate Professor, Department of Earth and Environmental Science, CUHK – will join the expedition team later)
- Professor Michael Pittman (Assistant Professor, School of Life Sciences, CUHK)
- Professor Li Jiying (Assistant Professor, Department of Ocean Sciences, HKUST)
- Dr Chen Zhaoliang (Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Ocean Sciences, HKUST)
Among those officiating at the ceremony were Mr Sun Shuxian, Vice Minister of Ministry of Natural Resources, China; Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong government; Mr Sun Zhiyang, Mayor of the Guangzhou Municipal Government; Mr Ye Shuiqiu, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; the Hon Ma Fung-kwok, Chairman of organising committee for the Hong Kong scientists’ involvement in the send-off event; Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK; Professor Alan Chan, Provost of CUHK; and Professor Chan Wai-yee, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK.
After Mr Sun presented a flag to the expedition team and issued the order, the 41st Antarctic expedition team set sail. The team use the Xue Long and Xue Long 2 polar research vessels to carry out their research missions, focusing on three key tasks: the construction of supporting facilities at the Antarctic Qinling Station, investigating the impact of climate change on the Antarctic ecosystem and feedback mechanisms, and engaging in extensive international cooperation in scientific research and logistical support. Comprising more than 500 people, the expedition team is expected to return to the country in May 2025.
Mr Sun congratulated the Hong Kong scientists on their participation in the Antarctic expedition, saying: “Six Hong Kong scientists have been selected to join China’s 41st Antarctic expedition, following the successful visit of the Xue Long 2 polar research vessel to Hong Kong earlier this year. This marks another breakthrough in mainland-Hong Kong cooperation in the polar research.”
Mr Chan said: “It is the first time Hong Kong scientists are joining the nation’s Antarctic expedition team to accomplish the research mission, which is an important milestone for Hong Kong. This not only reflects the country’s recognition of Hong Kong’s polar scientific research work but also highlights that Hong Kong, as an international innovation and technology hub, can play an active role in national scientific missions. It is of great significance to Hong Kong.”
Professor Tuan added: “I sincerely congratulate the Chinese research and expedition team and the selected Hong Kong scientists. I hope CUHK’s scientists make further breakthroughs and contribute to polar research development in Hong Kong, the nation and the world.”
The Hon Ma Fung-kwok said: “I am delighted that Hong Kong scientists have made history by joining the national Antarctic expedition team. This fully demonstrates the Central Government’s recognition of and trust in Hong Kong’s polar scientific research efforts. It also highlights Hong Kong’s active integration into overall national development and contribution to polar scientific research endeavours.”
During the farewell ceremony, Mr Sun presented the expedition flag to the 41st Antarctic expedition team, which includedthe Hong Kong scientists. Professor Alex Chow Tat-shing, representative of the Hong Kong scientists and Chairman of CUHK’s Department of Earth and Environmental Science, said: “Conducting research in Antarctica has always been a dream for many earth and environmental scientists. The country’s support for the CUHK team to conduct experiments in Antarctica is a recognition of both Hong Kong and CUHK, marking a significant milestone in Hong Kong’s scientific research. We are honoured to be the first group of Hong Kong scientists to participatie in Antarctic field research, laying the groundwork for future researchers.”
In April 2024, Hong Kong welcomed the visit of Xue Long 2, China’s first independently built icebreaking polar exploration vessel. During the visit, CUHK successfully held the Global Conference on Climate Change, garnering widespread attention. CUHK also co-hosted the International Symposium in Celebration of 40 Years of Chinese National Arctic and Antarctic expedition in Shanghai from October 29 to November 1 with PRIC, marking the beginning of Hong Kong’s participation in national academic polar research, and underscoring CUHK’s efforts to engage in polar scientific research and its crucial future role in both national and global polar research.
Mr Sun Shuxian, Vice Minister of Ministry of Natural Resources, China; Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong; Mr Sun Zhiyang, Mayor of the Guangzhou Municipal Government; Mr Ye Shuiqiu, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; the Hon Ma Fung-kwok, Chairman of organising committee for the Hong Kong scientists’ involvement in the send-off event; Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, and other guests at-tend the send-off event today to support the Hong Kong scientists taking part in the 41st Antarctic expedition.
Among the six scientists taking part in the 41st Antarctic expedition, four are from CUHK and two are from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). The CUHK scientists include (upper row middle) Professor Alex Chow Tat-shing, Chairman of the Department of Earth and Environmental Science, (upper row right) Professor Martin Tsui Tsz-ki, Associate Professor, School of Life Sciences and Department of Earth and Environmental Science, and (upper row left) Professor Michael Pittman, Assistant Profes-sor, School of Life Sciences. Professor Liu Lin, Associate Professor from CUHK’s De-partment of Earth and Environmental Science, will join the expedition team later. The two HKUST scientists are Professor Li Jiying (As-sistant Professor, Department of Ocean Sci-ences) and Dr Chen Zhaoliang (Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Ocean Sciences).
Mr Sun Shuxian (right), Vice Minister of Ministry of Natural Resources, China, presents a flag to the representative of the country’s 41st Antarctic expedition team.
Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Ad-ministration of Hong Kong, discusses the ex-pedition with the Hong Kong scientists.
Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, has encouraging words for the Hong Kong scientists who will embark on the country’s Antarctic expedition.
Mr Sun Shuxian, Vice Minister of Ministry of Natural Resources, China, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong, Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, and other leaders board the Xue Long 2, which was about to set sail to Antarctica, for a tour.
