China's icebreaker heads to open water

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The stranded Chinese icebreaker, Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, broke through the Antarctic's heavy floes at about 6 pm on Tuesday and was headed for open water, according to Xinhua News Agency.

After being stranded in heavy ice for five days, the ship had broken free by Tuesday evening and was making its way through lighter ice, China Central Television reported on Tuesday.

The vessel was carrying scientists for China's 30th Antarctic expedition before going to the aid of the trapped Russian ship Akademik Shokalskiy. It will now resume scheduled activities.

The Russian ship was also trying to free itself on Tuesday, with a favorable westerly wind loosening the surrounding ice, according to CCTV.

A helicopter from Xuelong ferried 52 passengers aboard the Akademik Shokalskiy to an Australian vessel on Thursday. The Russian ship had been stuck in the ice for 10 days.

However, Xuelong became trapped during the rescue effort, with the ice surrounding the vessel 3 to 4 meters thick, far beyond the ship's ice-breaking capability.

Qu Tanzhou, director of the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration under the State Oceanic Administration, said on Tuesday that Xuelong's attempts at breakout started on Tuesday morning.

While the ship was successful in freeing itself, the recently-established emergency team is keeping a close eye on the movements of surrounding floes and icebergs.

All 101 crew members on board are faring well, with entertainment facilities such as ping-pong tables, a gym and a library accessible.

There is enough food on board to last until April, sufficient water for a month and oil for four months, Qu said.

Questions:

1. For how many days was the Chinese ice breaker Xuelong trapped in Antarctic ice?

2. Who was aboard the Xuelong before it became trapped?

3. What was the ship attempting to do when it became trapped?

Answers:

1. Five.

2. Scientists for China's 30th Antarctic expedition.

3. Going to the aid of a trapped Russian vessel.

About the broadcaster:

Anne Ruisi is an editor at China Daily online with more than 30 years of experience as a newspaper editor and reporter. She has worked at newspapers in the U.S., including The Birmingham News in Alabama and City Newspaper of Rochester, N.Y.