Although the financing was in place, more challenges lay ahead. The team encountered a life-threatening environment with extremely low temperatures, violent storms and unpredictable ice conditions－and they had to learn how to survive.

When it was time to set off, "it was hard to say goodbye to our families, but every member was determined", Wei said.

He said it was because of their dreams as well as their determination that they completed the first mission successfully.

"Throughout history, the spirit of adventure and creativity of the Chinese people has been inferior to no other nation in the world," Wei said.

A year after the expedition, China became the first developing country to join the International Arctic Science Committee, partly thanks to the team's outstanding performance.

Zhang Wei, another team member, was responsible for documenting and keeping video records of the expedition. It was his 27th birthday when the team set off, and the expedition was a precious time in his youth, he said, adding that he hoped the memoir will inspire future generations.

Li Xicong, deputy editor-in-chief of the China Ocean University Press, said the book was a record of a historic event that could also be used for scientific education.

"We will introduce the book to more universities and colleges in China, hoping to encourage more young people," Li said.