This Day, That Year

Editor's note: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China.

In July 1999, China sent its first scientific research ship, Xuelong, to the Arctic Ocean with 60 scientists aboard the icebreaker as seen in the item from China Daily, which showed the vessel heading for the Bering Sea.

Since then, the country has made remarkable progress in North Pole exploration. It has conducted nine Arctic expeditions since 1999. In 2012, Xuelong became the first Chinese vessel to traverse the Northeast Passage.