Beijing, August 22: China and Russia have commenced their fourth joint Arctic scientific expedition, starting from Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East on August 20.
Researchers from both nations will conduct vital scientific studies on the rapid climate changes occurring in the Arctic region, with a particular focus on the northwestern Pacific Ocean and the Arctic Ocean.
During the launch ceremony, Yuri Pavlovich Vasilenko, acting director of the Pacific Oceanology Institute under the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Far Eastern Branch, stated that this collaborative scientific endeavor will strengthen ties between Russia and China while enhancing cooperation in the Arctic and Pacific regions.
He emphasized that the volume of cargo shipping via the Arctic maritime route is continuously increasing, highlighting its growing significance in the global economy. This trend underscores the urgent need for extensive scientific research in the relevant maritime areas.
Wei Qishun, director of the First Institute of Oceanography under China’s Ministry of Natural Resources, noted that the expedition is centered on the northwestern Pacific and Arctic Oceans. It aims to deepen the scientific understanding of marine dynamic processes, climate change patterns, and marine ecosystems in these study areas.
He added that this expedition represents a solid step towards advancing cooperation between China and Russia in marine sciences, exemplifying their broad strategic partnership in the field of marine science and technology in this new era.
The scientific expedition is expected to last approximately 62 days. During this period, researchers will visit various marine areas, including the Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Lomonosov Ridge, Makarov Basin, and Amundsen Basin, conducting comprehensive multidisciplinary surveys. The goal is to systematically study the changing environments of these marine regions against the backdrop of rapid climate change and to understand their response processes and mechanisms to global climate shifts.
This joint scientific expedition is organized and conducted collaboratively by the First Institute of Oceanography under China’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Shantou University, and the Pacific Oceanology Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Far Eastern Branch, with a total of nine Chinese personnel participating.
(Source: China Media Group, Beijing)
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