Liu Yaqi poses for a photo with the icebreaker in the Arctic. [Photo provided by Liu Yaqi to en.nantong.gov.cn]

The 14th Chinese Arctic scientific expedition team recently completed its mission and Liu Yaqi, a teacher at the Jiangsu Shipping College in Nantong serving as the second mate on the icebreaker for this expedition, effectively ensured navigation safety.

Unlike the desolate emptiness one might imagine, this is actually a tranquil and enchanting realm, where emerald-like rivers sparkle amidst vast expanses of white snow, flowing gently. "I fell in love with the Arctic the moment I laid eyes on it," Liu reminisced.

Night descends on the Arctic. [Photo provided by Liu Yaqi to en.nantong.gov.cn]

The wondrous and spectacular polar world not only boasts a unique charm but also harbors numerous challenges and uncertainties. "Due to factors like the climate, the ice this year is relatively thick and dense, reaching around 4 meters in some areas," the teacher explained. This made navigating the ship in the ice-covered regions extremely difficult, with the ship getting stuck in the ice several times.

Route planning also relies heavily on weather conditions. The predetermined operational plans may need to be adjusted at any moment according to changes in the ice situation. In order to fulfill the scheduled scientific research tasks, Liu had to adjust the route almost every day.

A rainbow appears in the sky over the Arctic. [Photo provided by Liu Yaqi to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Compared to the Antarctic, the Arctic is "not as cold as one might expect, with average temperatures ranging from minus 2 to minus 3 degrees Celsius. Most of the time, it's foggy and overcast, with the sun not visible and strong winds present," Liu said. Every time he went outside, he had to wear specially designed warm clothing and protective goggles.

"For me, the Arctic was initially unfamiliar, mysterious, and even dangerous, but gradually I got to know it, became familiar with it, and felt a sense of closeness with it," he reflected.

When asked if he would visit the polar regions again given the chance, Liu promptly said that he would like to visit the Antarctic once more to witness different landscapes and contribute further to China's polar endeavors.