China's 26th Antarctic expedition team aboard the Xuelong (Snow Dragon) icebreaker arrived in Australia's Fremantle Thursday for supplies before beginning the final leg of the ship's trip home.

The Xuelong was expected to stay in Fremantle for seven days and load up with fresh water, fruits and vegetables, and have some maintenance work done. During its stay, 13 team members will embark for China by plane.

China's 26th Antarctic expedition team embarked on its home journey on March 5, leaving China's Antarctic Zhongshan station after completing all of its planned scientific research and logistical tasks.

Setting out from Shanghai on Oct. 11, 2009, the Chinese expedition team has done scientific research involving all three of China's Antarctic stations (Changcheng, Zhongshan and Kunlun) during its voyage, the first time in China's Antarctic exploration history.

(Xinhua News Agency March 18, 2010)