【原文】摘錄自3月17日香港《文匯報》：中國第一艘自主設計和建造的極地科考破冰船「雪龍2」號，將於下月8日首次訪港，並免費開放予公眾和團體參觀。作為回航首站，「雪龍2」號率先在港展示和匯報最新科研成果，船隻將停靠尖沙咀海運碼頭。「雪龍2」號訪港籌委會執委會主席何建宗預告屆時將有「海空陸」全方位迎船活動，預料至少吸引60萬人近距離感受其風采。有興趣登船參觀的市民可預先在網上登記，並於下月9日至11日免費上船參觀最新科研設備，而登船參觀活動每日可接待500人至1,000人。

為慶祝中國第四十次南極考察任務圓滿成功，「雪龍2」號和中國第四十次南極科考隊，下月8日起一連訪港5天，向港人展示國家在極地科研的實力和成果。「雪龍2」號訪港籌委會昨日在記者會上表示，將於本周二（19日）開始讓巿民登記報名參觀，費用全免。

「雪龍2」號是中國第一艘自主建造並擁有自主知識產權的第四代極地科考船，也是全球第一艘雙向破冰極地科考船。船長122.5米、寬22.3米、排水量達1.4萬噸及續航力達2萬海里，定員可以有90人。

「雪龍2」號之所以震撼全球，在於具備世界首創艏艉雙向破冰功能，更可原地360度自由轉動，搭載國際一流海洋和考察設備。這次考察最突出的亮點，是上月「雪龍2」號在南極羅斯海成功建設「秦嶺站」，提供重要的支援。它完成中國第四十次南極科考，經歷5個多月的冰雪征程後回國歸航，歷史性地以香港為首站。

去年11月曾到訪「雪龍2」號的何建宗憶述，登船體會時興奮不已，「船隻大到行3日先行晒！」該船船身共有5層，市民可參觀每一層的亮點，例如海洋採樣室、實驗室、數據管理庫，亦有機會參觀船長艙及停機坪等。

被問及登船最難忘的體會時，他毫不猶豫說：「初以為船長是用大軚盤來駕駛，誰知入到去船長室，才發現原來僅用兩隻手指便搞掂，不得不佩服科技的先進。」

在「雪龍2」號服役後，增強了中國在極地海洋環境調查和科學研究的深度，去年並首次穿越北極點，收集大量氣象、海冰和其他航行環境信息資料。

「雪龍2」號籌委會主席、立法會議員馬逢國介紹，「雪龍2」號首次抵港，屆時會安排隆重歡迎儀式，首先是海上巡遊，多個政府部門包括海事處、漁護署及環保署等派出船隻參與外，還有天星小輪和漁船等一同巡遊，飛行服務隊亦會派出兩架直升機在維港上空低飛歡迎。與此同時，海運碼頭亦會有歡迎儀式，有樂隊、舞獅助興的節目。儀式之後會在伊利沙伯體育館舉行文藝晚會，破冰船員及科學家會與現場觀眾互動，將熱烈的迎船氣氛帶到全港不同角落。

People are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the powerful icebreaker "Xuelong2" in Hong Kong.

【譯文】China's first indigenously designed and built polar icebreaker, "Xuelong 2", will visit Hong Kong for the first time on March 8th and be accessible to the public and organizations. As the first stop on its return voyage, Xuelong 2 will be the first to demonstrate and report its latest scientific achievements in Hong Kong and will dock at the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. Mr Ho Kin-chung, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Organising Committee for the Visit of Xuelong 2 to Hong Kong, has announced that there will be a full range of activities to welcome the vessel by sea, air and land. It is expected that at least 600,000 people will be attracted to experience the ship from a close distance. Members of the public interested in visiting the ship can register online for a free tour of the latest scientific research equipment on board the ship from April 9th to 11th, with a daily capacity of 500 to 1,000 people.

To celebrate the success of China's 40th Antarctic expedition, the Xuelong 2 and the 40th China Antarctic Research Team will visit Hong Kong for five consecutive days starting next month 8 to demonstrate to the people of Hong Kong the country's strength and achievements in polar scientific research. The organizing committee for the visit said at a press conference yesterday that registration for the visit will be open to the public starting this Tuesday (19th) and is free of charge.

Xuelong 2 is China's first fourth-generation polar research vessel with its intellectual property rights and the world's first bi-directional ice-breaking polar research vessel. The ship is 122.5 meters long and 22.3 meters wide, with a displacement of 14,000 tons, a range of 20,000 nautical miles, and a crew of 90 people.

What makes "Xuelong 2" shocking to the world is that it has the world's first bi-directional bow and stern ice-breaking function, and it can turn 360 degrees on the spot and carry international first-class oceanographic and research equipment. The highlight of the expedition was the successful construction of the Qinling Station in the Ross Sea last month, which provided critical support. It completed China's 40th Antarctic Research Expedition and returned to China after more than five months of ice and snow, with Hong Kong as its first stop in history.

Mr. Ho Kin-chung, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Organising Committee for the Visit to Hong Kong of Xuelong 2, who visited Xuelong 2 in November last year, recalled that he was very excited when he boarded the vessel, "The vessel is so big that it took three days to finish the tour!" There are five floors on the vessel, and members of the public can visit the highlights of each floor, such as the marine sampling room, laboratory, data management library, the captain's cabin and the apron.

When asked about his most unforgettable experience boarding the vessel, he did not hesitate to say, "At first, I thought the captain used a big steering wheel to steer the vessel, but when I went to the captain's cabin, I realized I could do it all with just two fingers, so I have to admire the advancement of technology."

After the Xuelong 2 entered service, it enhanced the depth of China's investigation and scientific research on the polar marine environment. Last year, the vessel crossed the North Pole for the first time and collected much information on meteorology, sea ice, and other maritime environments.

Mr. Ma Fung-kwok, Chairman of the Xuelong 2 Organizing Committee and Legislative Council Member, said that a grand welcoming ceremony will be arranged for the first arrival of Xuelong 2 in Hong Kong. First of all, there will be a sea parade, which will be attended by vessels from various government departments, including the Marine Department, AFCD and EPD, as well as ships from the Star Ferry and fishing boats, and two helicopters will be sent by the Government Flying Service to welcome the arrival of Xuelong 2 in the skies above the Victoria Harbour. A welcoming ceremony at the Ocean Terminal will also feature a band and lion dance. The ceremony will be followed by a cultural evening at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium, where icebreakers and scientists will interact with the audience, bringing a welcoming atmosphere to all corners of Hong Kong.

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