Members of China's 42nd Antarctic expedition team disembark from China's research icebreaker Xuelong in Shanghai, east China, April 9, 2026. Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, returned to Shanghai on Thursday after a 160-day-long voyage which formed part of the country's 42nd Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

SHANGHAI, April 9 (Xinhua) -- China's research icebreaker Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, returned to Shanghai in east China on Thursday after a 160-day-long voyage which formed part of the country's 42nd Antarctic expedition. ■

China's research icebreaker Xuelong docks at its base in Shanghai, east China, April 9, 2026. Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, returned to Shanghai on Thursday after a 160-day-long voyage which formed part of the country's 42nd Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

A welcoming ceremony is held for China's research icebreaker Xuelong in Shanghai, east China, April 9, 2026. Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, returned to Shanghai on Thursday after a 160-day-long voyage which formed part of the country's 42nd Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

A member of China's 42nd Antarctic expedition team (L) reunites with her family in Shanghai, east China, April 9, 2026. Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, returned to Shanghai on Thursday after a 160-day-long voyage which formed part of the country's 42nd Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

People welcome the return of China's 42nd Antarctic expedition team in Shanghai, east China, April 9, 2026. Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, returned to Shanghai on Thursday after a 160-day-long voyage which formed part of the country's 42nd Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

China's research icebreaker Xuelong docks at its base in Shanghai, east China, April 9, 2026. Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, returned to Shanghai on Thursday after a 160-day-long voyage which formed part of the country's 42nd Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

A member of China's 42nd Antarctic expedition team (R) reunites with her family in Shanghai, east China, April 9, 2026. Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, returned to Shanghai on Thursday after a 160-day-long voyage which formed part of the country's 42nd Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

People welcome the return of China's 42nd Antarctic expedition team in Shanghai, east China, April 9, 2026. Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, returned to Shanghai on Thursday after a 160-day-long voyage which formed part of the country's 42nd Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)

Staff members unload containers from China's research icebreaker Xuelong in Shanghai, east China, April 9, 2026. Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, returned to Shanghai on Thursday after a 160-day-long voyage which formed part of the country's 42nd Antarctic expedition. (Xinhua/Zhang Jiansong)