Core Points - The 42nd Antarctic Expedition Team from China has set sail from Shanghai, embarking on an 80,000 nautical mile journey to Antarctica [1] - The expedition aims to enhance China's capabilities in understanding, protecting, and utilizing the Antarctic region, aligning with national goals for ocean development and international cooperation [3] Group 1: Expedition Objectives and Activities - The expedition will conduct clean drilling and sampling in deep Antarctic ice layers, utilizing domestic hot water drilling technology for the first time [4] - Research on subglacial lakes in Antarctica will provide insights into extreme ecosystems and climate change, contributing to the understanding of sedimentation processes and life evolution [5] - The team will gather long-term observational data on the impact of climate change on the Southern Ocean ecosystem in key areas like the Amundsen Sea and Ross Sea [5] Group 2: Infrastructure and Technological Advancements - The Qinling Station, set to officially open in February 2024, will enhance China's research capabilities in the Ross Sea region, featuring advanced facilities for scientific research and operations [6] - The station will implement a smart storage system using polar robots and intelligent platforms, improving material flow efficiency by 40% [6] - The expedition will utilize domestically developed equipment, including the "Snow Leopard" 6×6 wheeled vehicle and various new technologies for automatic observation and satellite remote sensing [8] Group 3: International Collaboration - The expedition involves over 500 team members from more than 80 domestic organizations, as well as international researchers from countries like Thailand, Chile, and Portugal, promoting diverse collaborative research [8] - The mission reflects China's commitment to the Antarctic Treaty and its willingness to participate in international governance of the Antarctic region [8]