This aerial photo taken on Jan 6, 2024 shows China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2 conducting scientific expedition in the Amundsen Sea. Members of China's 40th Antarctic expedition team have recently conducted scientific work aboard China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2 in the Amundsen Sea. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Hou Jiling, a member of China's 40th Antarctic expedition team, analyzes samples of seawater aboard China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2 in the Amundsen Sea, Jan 7, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

A member of China's 40th Antarctic expedition deals with collected samples of seawater aboard China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2 in the Amundsen Sea, Jan 7, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Members of China's 40th Antarctic expedition team conduct scientific work aboard China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2 in the Amundsen Sea, Jan 6, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Members of China's 40th Antarctic expedition team conduct scientific work aboard China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2 in the Amundsen Sea, Jan 7, 2024. (PHOTO / XINHUA)