Seals are seen on floating ices near China's polar icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, in the Southern Ocean on Dec. 19, 2019. China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 came across many polar animals in the Southern Ocean on Thursday during its maiden voyage for the country's 36th Antarctic expedition. (Photos: Xinhua)

A seal is seen on a floating ice near China's polar icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, in the Southern Ocean on Dec. 19, 2019. China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 came across many polar animals in the Southern Ocean on Thursday during its maiden voyage for the country's 36th Antarctic expedition.

Penguins are seen on a floating ice near China's polar icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, in the Southern Ocean on Dec. 19, 2019. China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 came across many polar animals in the Southern Ocean on Thursday during its maiden voyage for the country's 36th Antarctic expedition.

Combo photo taken on Dec. 19, 2019 shows China's polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 (up), or Snow Dragon 2, and penguins (bottom) on a floating ice near Xuelong 2 in the Southern Ocean. China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 came across many polar animals in the Southern Ocean on Thursday during its maiden voyage for the country's 36th Antarctic expedition.

Seals are seen on a floating ice near China's polar icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, in the Southern Ocean on Dec. 19, 2019. China's first domestically made polar icebreaker Xuelong 2 came across many polar animals in the Southern Ocean on Thursday during its maiden voyage for the country's 36th Antarctic expedition.