3 Chinese research vessels set sail for the Arctic

China has launched its 16th scientific expedition to the Arctic Ocean, focusing on global climate change and its impacts, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The ministry said that three research icebreakers — Xuelong, Xuelong 2, and Jidi — set sail on Friday from the northeastern coastal city of Dalian, Liaoning province, commencing their northward voyage. Tansuo 3, a multifunctional research ship, will join them later.

The four-month expedition will carry out comprehensive surveys and monitoring in key waters of the Arctic Ocean, with major investigations covering sea ice, hydrology, biology, ecology, and atmospheric environment.

Researchers will also study cutting-edge Arctic topics, such as the accretion mechanisms of the Gakkel Mid-Ocean Ridge and the dynamic evolution of the oceanic crust.

Additionally, the expedition team will carry out collaborative operations 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 improve Arctic governance, according to the ministry.

"Driven by global warming, the Arctic's natural environment is undergoing rapid and profound changes amid intensifying trends such as sea ice loss. These changes bear on the shared destiny of human survival and development, carrying global significance and far-reaching implications," the ministry said in a statement. "Sustained comprehensive Arctic expeditions serve as critical foundations for addressing global climate change and advancing the sustainable development of the Arctic region."

The country's 15th Arctic Ocean expedition was launched in July 2025 and completed in October, involving four vessels — Xuelong 2, Jidi, Shenhai 1, and Tansuo 3. It is, by now, the nation's largest-ever scientific exploration in the Arctic Ocean.