It has a research station in the Svalbard archipelago, the northernmost part of Norway, and is building a sister ship to the Xue Long, to go into service in 2014.

ECONOMIST: Banyan

In August to September last year, China sent its one and only icebreaker Xue Long (Snow Dragon) on a successful two-way test run of the NSR.

CNN: China eyes Arctic options in energy, transport

The author, Xinran Xue, who uses the name Xinran as a nom de plume, is an old hand.

ECONOMIST: Oral history in China: Tales of old | The

The announcer did not give a reason or say when the movie would be re-shown, Xue said.

NPR: China Pulls 'Django Unchained' On Day Of Premiere

Photographer Xue Yutao said he was about one minute into the movie at a Beijing theater Thursday morning when a couple of theater employees walked in and told the audience that the screening would be postponed.

NPR: China Pulls 'Django Unchained' On Day Of Premiere