2014年CRI 中国正建造新破冰船 美防长哈格尔促日改善邻国关系（在线收听）

China plans to build a new icebreaker for polar expeditions

as its veteran Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, remains stuck in Antarctica after rescuing passengers from a Russian vessel.

Qu Tanzhou, director of the State Oceanic Administration's Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, says

designs for the vessel were in the process after gaining official approval.

He says the new icebreaker will be shorter

and be equipped with blades both at the bow and the stern,

which will be able to open ice 1.5 meters thick.

China has sent a team to rescue Xuelong.

There is no immediate danger to personnel aboard Xuelong, which is well stocked with food supplies and has enough fuel.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has urged Japan to improve relations with its neighboring countries

after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to a controversial war shrine in late December fueled tensions with China and South Korea.

U.S. Defense Department says in a statement that

Hagel also called on Japan to promote cooperation in advancing the goal of regional peace and stability.

China plans to build a new icebreaker for polar expeditions as its veteran Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, remains stuck in Antarctica after rescuing passengers from a Russian vessel.

Qu Tanzhou, director of the State Oceanic Administration's Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, says designs for the vessel were in the process after gaining official approval.

He says the new icebreaker will be shorter and be equipped with blades both at the bow and the stern, which will be able to open ice 1.5 meters thick.

China has sent a team to rescue Xuelong. There is no immediate danger to personnel aboard Xuelong, which is well stocked with food supplies and has enough fuel.

U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has urged Japan to improve relations with its neighboring countries after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to a controversial war shrine in late December fueled tensions with China and South Korea.

U.S. Defense Department says in a statement that Hagel also called on Japan to promote cooperation in advancing the goal of regional peace and stability.