China's "Snow Dragon" to leave for 26th Antarctic expedition

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China's scientific exploration ship, the "Snow Dragon", will embark on its 26th antarctic journey on Sunday.

The captain says the ship is scheduled to sail over 30,000 nautical miles and will return to Shanghai on April 10th next year. This will be the Snow Dragon's longest voyage to date.

Scientists from Taiwan will be on board. Eleven of the 250-member crew are women, including one pilot.

Over the next six months, the crew will conduct 59 scientific experiments and visit the Changcheng and Zhongshan stations. They will also build a new station called Kunlun on the inner antarctic continent.

Two helicopters on the ship will provide support for the mission.