Core Viewpoint - The letter from Yu Minhong, founder of New Oriental, aimed to address employee concerns and clarify his intentions behind a previous communication sent from Antarctica, where he expressed personal reflections and company sentiments [1][4]. Group 1: Apology and Clarification - Yu Minhong apologized to employees for any misunderstandings caused by his letter, emphasizing that his intention was to share insights rather than boast about his location [1]. - He acknowledged that the use of red font in his communication was not meant to convey any negative connotation, as it holds different cultural significance for older generations [1]. - Yu addressed criticisms regarding the perception of using "employees' hard-earned money" for travel, asserting that both employees and management are working collaboratively for the company's success [1]. Group 2: Company Initiatives and Future Plans - During his trip to Antarctica, Yu Minhong engaged in discussions about youth natural exploration education, indicating potential future collaborations with experts in the field [1][6]. - He announced plans for New Oriental to establish a dedicated youth exploration center aimed at fostering children's understanding and appreciation of nature [6]. - A specialized expedition for teenagers to Antarctica is anticipated to launch in the winter of the following year [6]. Group 3: Travel Details and Cost Clarification - Yu Minhong traveled on the "Xia Gu" cruise ship, which is known for its capability to navigate icy waters, with a trip duration of 20 days costing approximately 300,000 yuan per person [6][7]. - The cruise offers various itineraries, with prices ranging from 260,000 to 1,480,000 yuan depending on the cabin type and duration [7]. - Yu Minhong clarified misconceptions regarding the cost of the trip, stating that the actual price for the journey he undertook was between 200,000 to 250,000 yuan, contrary to reports suggesting it was 1,480,000 yuan [7].

Core Viewpoint - The letter from Yu Minhong to employees aimed to express apologies and clarify his intentions behind the previous communication, emphasizing the importance of transparency and shared experiences between leadership and staff [1][2]. Group 1: Apology and Clarification - Yu Minhong apologized for the tone and content of his previous letter, which was influenced by his location in Antarctica, and clarified that he did not intend to boast about his trip [1]. - He acknowledged that the use of red font in his communication was a cultural reference, not meant to convey any negative connotation [1]. - The CEO addressed criticisms regarding the perception of using employee resources for personal travel, asserting that both employees and management are working collaboratively for the company's success [1]. Group 2: Future Plans and Initiatives - Yu Minhong mentioned that his trip to Antarctica was not solely for leisure but also for professional discussions on youth natural exploration education, indicating potential future initiatives for New Oriental [1][4]. - He announced plans to establish a dedicated youth exploration center aimed at fostering children's understanding and appreciation of nature [4]. - A specialized youth expedition to Antarctica is anticipated to launch in the following winter, highlighting the company's commitment to educational initiatives [4]. Group 3: Travel Details and Costs - The cruise ship "Xia Gu" that Yu Minhong traveled on offers various itineraries, with prices ranging from approximately 200,000 to 300,000 yuan per person for different cabin types [5][6]. - The CEO clarified misinformation regarding the cost of the trip, stating that the actual price for the 12-day journey was between 200,000 and 250,000 yuan, contrary to claims of 1.48 million yuan [6][7].

Core Points - The chairman of New Oriental, Yu Minhong, clarified on social media that the cost of a trip to Antarctica varies significantly, ranging from 50,000 to 300,000 yuan, and the specific trip he took was priced between 200,000 to 250,000 yuan for 12 days, contrary to the reported 1.48 million yuan [1][4] - Yu Minhong expressed gratitude to employees and supporters on the 32nd anniversary of New Oriental, emphasizing the importance of employee feedback and the company's tradition of allowing staff to voice their concerns [4][5] - The company plans to establish a youth exploration center aimed at fostering children's understanding and appreciation of nature, with potential Antarctic exploration trips for youth starting next winter [5][6] Company Insights - New Oriental is celebrating its 32nd anniversary, with Yu Minhong reflecting on the significance of perseverance and time during his trip to Antarctica [5] - The company is facing internal criticism from employees regarding the disparity between the leadership's experiences and their own, as highlighted by comments on social media [5][6] - The travel arrangements for the Antarctic trip included advanced icebreaker ships, with varying prices based on cabin types, indicating a premium market for such unique travel experiences [6][7]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent controversy surrounding New Oriental's chairman, Yu Minhong, regarding his trip to Antarctica, clarifying the actual costs and addressing employee dissatisfaction with the company's leadership and communication style [1][4][5]. Group 1: Trip to Antarctica - Yu Minhong clarified that the cost of his trip to Antarctica was between 200,000 to 250,000 yuan for 12 days, contrary to the reported 1.48 million yuan [1][4]. - The cruise ship "Xia Gu" is described as an advanced icebreaker, and the trip duration and pricing vary based on cabin types [1][5]. - A travel agency indicated that the cruise Yu Minhong took departs from Paris and costs approximately 300,000 yuan for a 20-day journey, with limited availability for future trips [5]. Group 2: Employee Reactions - Following Yu Minhong's internal letter celebrating the company's anniversary, some employees expressed dissatisfaction, feeling a disconnect between the leadership's experiences and their own realities [4]. - Employees criticized the portrayal of the Antarctic experience as "ironic," highlighting a gap between the company's leadership and its workforce [4][3]. Group 3: Future Plans - Yu Minhong announced plans to establish a youth exploration center aimed at fostering children's understanding and appreciation of nature, with potential Antarctic exploration trips for selected employees and members next winter [3][4].

Core Points - The chairman of New Oriental, Yu Minhong, faced controversy after sharing videos of his trip to Antarctica and discussing the costs associated with it [1][5] - Yu clarified that the cost of the cruise to Antarctica was not 1.48 million but rather between 200,000 to 250,000 yuan for a 12-day trip, depending on the cabin type [1][10] - The company aims to support outstanding employees by offering them a chance to visit Antarctica next winter [1] Summary by Sections Company Background - New Oriental celebrated its 32nd anniversary on November 16, with Yu Minhong reflecting on the company's journey and future aspirations in an internal letter [3] - The company aims to be a "sower of hope" and represent "the conscience of merchants" through its various business segments [3] Employee Reactions - The internal letter and subsequent social media posts did not resonate as expected with employees, leading to discussions about empathy towards a traveling boss [5] - Employees expressed feelings of disconnect with Yu's experiences while he was on vacation [5] Travel Details - Yu Minhong's cruise, the "Summer Commander," is a state-of-the-art polar exploration ship with a capacity of 245 passengers, designed for extreme conditions [10] - The ship offers various itineraries, with prices ranging from approximately 260,000 to 1.48 million yuan per person, depending on the length and type of accommodation [10][8]

Core Points - The chairman of New Oriental, Yu Minhong, recently faced criticism from employees regarding a video he posted about a trip to Antarctica, which has sparked public interest [1] - Yu Minhong responded by emphasizing that allowing employee feedback is a tradition at New Oriental and that he encourages it, acknowledging that employee dissatisfaction indicates issues within the company that need to be addressed [1] - He announced plans to take around 10 outstanding grassroots employees from New Oriental and 10 excellent members from Dongfang Zhenxuan to Antarctica next winter, supported by the company [1] - Yu clarified the cost of the trip, stating that the price for different ships and cabins ranges from 50,000 to 300,000 yuan, and the specific ship he and another executive took costs between 200,000 to 250,000 yuan, contrary to claims of 1.48 million yuan [1] Summary by Categories Company Response - Yu Minhong expressed gratitude for the concern shown by friends and reiterated the importance of employee feedback as a means to identify and correct company issues [1] - He mentioned that some online comments may be from impersonators and encouraged the public to discern the authenticity of such claims [1] Employee Engagement - The company plans to reward exemplary employees by offering them a unique opportunity to visit Antarctica, highlighting its commitment to employee recognition and engagement [1] Trip Details - The trip to Antarctica involves varying costs based on the type of ship and cabin, with the chairman clarifying the actual price range to counter misinformation circulating online [1]

Core Viewpoint - The controversy surrounding New Oriental's chairman Yu Minhong's trip to Antarctica has sparked discussions about employee sentiment and company culture, highlighting the disparity between leadership and staff experiences during challenging times [8][16]. Group 1: Trip Details - Yu Minhong clarified that the cost of the Antarctic trip varies significantly, with prices ranging from 500,000 to 3 million yuan, depending on the ship and cabin type, and that he and his colleague traveled on the advanced icebreaker "Xia Gu" for 200,000 to 250,000 yuan for 12 days [1][10]. - The "Xia Gu" cruise offers various itineraries, with the lowest price for a 13-day trip starting at approximately 260,000 yuan per person, while a 29-day trip can cost up to 1.48 million yuan [13]. Group 2: Employee Sentiment and Company Culture - The internal communication sent by Yu Minhong on the company's 32nd anniversary did not resonate well with employees, leading to complaints and highlighting a disconnect between leadership and staff experiences [8][16]. - New Oriental is characterized by a relatively relaxed internal atmosphere, allowing employees to express grievances openly, which contrasts with the perception of a strict corporate environment [16]. Group 3: Business Strategy Implications - The trip may have strategic significance for New Oriental's emerging cultural tourism business, which has seen an 85% revenue growth in the third quarter of the 2025 fiscal year, indicating a potential focus on expanding this sector [16].

Core Viewpoint - The response from Yu Minhong regarding employee complaints about the Antarctic trip clarifies the actual costs associated with the journey, emphasizing that the prices vary significantly based on the type of ship and cabin selected, rather than the exaggerated figures reported by the media [1] Summary by Categories - **Cost of Antarctic Trip** - Prices for the Antarctic trip range from 50,000 to 300,000 yuan, depending on the ship and cabin type [1] - The specific ship used by Yu Minhong and Xi Zhinong, the Xiegu number, is described as an advanced icebreaker cruise, with a 12-day trip costing between 200,000 to 250,000 yuan, contrary to the reported figure of 1,480,000 yuan [1]