China has officially launched its 16th Arctic expedition. It is the country’s first research mission to the Arctic under the current 15th Five-Year Plan. The expedition set sail on 3 July 2026 from the port of Dalian in Liaoning Province and is scheduled to end in early October.
Under the leadership of the Chinese Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), four research vessels are in operation: the icebreakers Xuelong (“Snow Dragon”) and Xuelong 2, as well as the research vessels Jidi (“Polar”) and Tansuo 3 (“Exploration 3”). Together, they will carry out extensive scientific research in various regions of the Arctic Ocean.
The expedition will focus on researching the rapidly changing Arctic environment. Ongoing climate change is leading to an accelerated decline in sea ice and is altering ecosystems, ocean circulation and weather processes. These developments affect not only the Arctic itself, but also have an impact on the global climate system.
During the expedition, which will last several months, the scientists will, amongst other things, collect data on sea ice conditions, ocean hydrology, marine biology, atmospheric processes and the interactions between the ocean and the climate. The programme also includes geoscientific investigations, such as studies into the formation of the Gakkel Ridge and the geological evolution of the oceanic crust in the Arctic Ocean.
Another key focus is international cooperation. Scientists from several countries, including Russia and Germany, are also taking part in the expedition. The joint research programme aims to help deepen scientific understanding of the Arctic and to create a robust data foundation for future climate and environmental research.
With what is now its 16th Arctic expedition, China is further expanding its presence in the polar region. In view of the rapid changes in the far north, long-term research programmes are becoming increasingly important. The data collected during the expedition is intended to help better understand the impacts of climate change and to provide a scientific basis for the protection and sustainable development of the Arctic.
Heiner Kubny, PolarJournal