China finishes 1st investigation around Arctic Ocean

After finishing the operation at the last work station in Chukchi Sea, Xuelong, a Chinese icebreaker, entered the Bering Sea after passing through the Bering Straits on Sept. 23, marking China conclusion of its first scientific investigation around the Arctic Ocean.

The Chinese Arctic expedition team entered the Arctic Ocean on July 31, and conducted comprehensive scientific surveys on the high sea in the ocean along the Central Channel. The team also conducted special research in the Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea and Northern Europe Sea, and conducted China's first survey on the Labrador Sea and Baffin Bay.

During the three-month voyage, the icebreaker traveled 18,500 nautical miles, including 5,370 nautical miles in the Arctic ice zone.

China established its first Arctic station, named Yellow River Station, in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard in 2003.

The expedition team worked at seven sea-ice work stations and 49 oceanic work stations to collect first-hand materials and data for the analysis of the Arctic channels and the local ecological system, so as to promote the construction of the Silk Road through the Arctic Ocean, or "Ice Silk Road".

China has pledged to conduct an annual Arctic expedition to make long-term and systematic scientific observations, and strengthen its position on the world stage regarding international governance of the Arctic region.