Chinese research vessel and icebreaker Xuelong (Snow Dragon) left Shanghai on Thursday, setting sail on the country's 30th scientific expedition to Antarctica. The 256 member team, including scientists from Taiwan and Thailand, will work on 30 assignments, take supplies to China's Antarctic stations, set up China's fourth research station, the "Taishan", and chose a site for another new station. The expedition will last for 155 days, covering 31,500 nautical miles over its entire course. The team is expected to return home in April, 2014. [Photo/Xinhua]