In collaboration with multiple countries, including Norway and Australia, the team will also conduct an aerial survey in Enderby Land, to explore ice and sea bedrock interactions in key data gaps such as the Antarctic ice sheet interface. It will support an assessment of the ice sheet material balance, while continuing with bilateral and multilateral cooperation in logistics support with the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, South Korea, Russia and Chile, he said.

Long made the remarks at a news conference in Guangzhou on Thursday, on the eve of the two vessels' departure.

He said the research team that will return to the country in May consists of about 500 people from 80 domestic departments, units and organizations.

In addition to the two vessels, a cargo ship — Yong Sheng — will depart from Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, and head for the Antarctic later this month.

Yong Sheng will mainly be responsible for transporting materials for the construction of facilities at Qinling Station.