China's icebreaker Xuelong in good condition, despite collision

<p>China&#39;s icebreaker Xuelong, which translates to Snow Dragon, has left the dense ice areas and resumed its navigation observation on Wednesday.</p><p style="text-align:center"><img src="https://imedia-peoplesdaily.pdnews.cn/up/cms/www/201901/23141115uy2j.png" title="微信图片_20190123100134.png" alt="微信图片_20190123100134.png"/></p><p><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);">(Screenshot via CCTV)</span></p><p>Xuelong crashed into an iceberg on Saturday in Western Antarctica&#39;s Amundsen Sea during its 35th Antarctic research mission due to thick fog. No crew member was injured.</p><p>Surrounded by ice floes and icebergs, the Amundsen Sea poses very precarious sailing conditions, which is so far less known by people than the moon. Last year, Xuelong completed the first Chinese survey of the sea on its 34th research mission.</p><p><img src="https://imedia-peoplesdaily.pdnews.cn/up/cms/www/201901/231411166j3j.jpg" title="暴风截图201912316271746.jpg" alt="暴风截图201912316271746.jpg"/></p><p style="white-space: normal;"><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);">(Screenshot via CGTN)</span></p><div>At that time, Xuelong was in dense ice areas, where the onboard radar was limited to detect, said Academy member Chen Dake. New radar technology is still in need of development.<br/></div><p>The varied weather is also a major factor, said Chen. At the time, the thick fog suddenly came in and limited line of sight, so the iceberg could only be observed at close range.</p><p style="white-space: normal;">After the collision, Xuelong has cleared the snow on the bow, adjusted the original scientific research plan and headed east to the Great Wall Station in Antarctica after colliding with an iceberg.&nbsp;</p><p>Xuelong will be further checked by domestic ship experts at the Great Wall Station when it arrives.</p><p><span style="color: rgb(127, 127, 127);">(Video source: CGTN)</span></p>