The 16th Chinese Arctic Expedition
The Ministry of Natural Resources announced that the 16th Chinese Arctic Expedition, comprised of the icebreakers Xuelong, Xuelong 2, and Polar, departed from Dalian, Liaoning Province, for the Arctic Ocean on July 3. This is China’s first Arctic expedition organized in the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan, and the expedition will be conducted jointly by the three icebreakers and the research vessel Tansuo 3. The mission is expected to be completed in early October.
Currently, driven by global warming, the Arctic environment is undergoing rapid and profound changes, with sea ice melting intensifying, impacting the shared destiny of human survival and development.
Continuing comprehensive Arctic research is a crucial foundation for addressing global climate change and promoting sustainable development in the Arctic region.
It is reported that this expedition will focus on addressing global climate change and its impacts, conducting comprehensive surveys and monitoring in key areas of the Arctic Ocean, including sea ice, hydrology, biology, ecology, and atmospheric environment.
It will also explore cutting-edge international Arctic issues such as the accretion mechanism of the Jakarta Ridge and the dynamic evolution of oceanic crust.
Collaborative work will be carried out with scientists from Russia, Germany, and other countries, providing scientific support for China and the international community to better understand and protect the Arctic and conduct Arctic governance. (Reporter Zhang Sheng)
In recent years, mainland China has frequently conducted surveys and explorations of the Arctic Ocean’s geographical conditions, demonstrating its ambition to develop the Arctic region. Last year’s 15th Chinese Arctic scientific expedition, conducted jointly by the four ships Xuelong 2, Polar, Shenhai Yihao, and Tansuo Sanhao, was considered the largest expedition to date. This year’s expedition, also comprised of four ships, is comparable in scale.
During last year’s 15th expedition, with support from the Xuelong 2, the Shenhai Yihao, carrying the Jiaolong manned submersible, successfully completed China’s first manned deep-sea dive in the Arctic ice zone, marking a continuous enhancement of mainland China’s deep-sea access and exploration capabilities.
This year’s 16th expedition did not involve the Shenhai Yihao, but instead the Xuelong, suggesting that this year’s expedition will not include any planned manned deep-sea exploration missions.
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