By Gao Yang

I feel very warm and excited to return home.’ On 16th April, ‘Xue Long 2’ completed its 40th South Pole scientific expedition task successfully and returned to the Shanghai base. Xiao Jinfeng, a teacher from School of Nautical Technology of Jiangsu Shipping College, returned with the team. On the afternoon of 17th April, Xiao Jinfeng returned to Nantong.

On 1st November 2023, the 40th South Pole scientific expedition team of China set out from Shanghai. Xiao Jinfeng went with them as the chief officer and maneuvering officer of ‘Xue Long 2’ polar scientific expedition icebreaker. During the journey of more than 5 months and more than 80 thousand nautical miles, apart from navigation watch, he was also responsible for external contact, handling of Entry and Exit procedures, responding to port state inspections, and ship system management of ‘Xue Long 2’. He also worked on course arrangement and lecturing of Navigation College of South Pole University.

Xiao Jinfeng shared with the reporter his most unforgettable moment during the South Pole scientific expedition. ‘When Qinling Station was completed and opened, the moment the Five-Starred Red Flag rose slowly, I was full of tears instantly.’ Xiao Jinfeng said that at that time ‘Xue Long 2’ was only 2 nautical miles away from Qinling Station, ‘when I saw a flash of Chinese red in a world of ice and snow, my pride arose naturally.’

It is worth mentioning that Xiao Jinfeng also participated the international rescue action of ‘Xue Long 2’ to help a ship in distress in the sea area near Papua New Guinea in the whole progress. During the period, he played the role of a ‘signalman’, worked for nearly 30 hours without sleep or rest, and built a hopeful ‘lifeline’ between the ship which called for help and rescue forces, which played a crucial role in the success of the rescue.

‘Although working in the South Pole is tough, I will never forget it in my life.’ Xiao Jinfeng said.