China Launches 16th Arctic Expedition from Dalian
China’s 16th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition departed from Dalian, Liaoning Province, on July 3, 2026, marking the first Arctic mission of the country’s “15th Five-Year Plan” period. Organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the expedition involves four research vessels — Xuelong (Snow Dragon), Xuelong 2, Jidi (Polar), and Tansuo 3 (Exploration 3) — and is expected to complete its mission by early October, according to Xinhua News.
A Mission Focused on Climate Science
The expedition’s core objective is to address global climate change and its impacts. Scientists will conduct comprehensive surveys and monitoring in key Arctic waters, studying sea ice, hydrology, biology, ecology, and atmospheric conditions. The research also targets frontier scientific questions, including the Gakkel Ridge accretion mechanism and oceanic crust dynamic evolution.
“Currently, driven by global warming, the Arctic natural environment is undergoing rapid and profound changes, with sea ice melting trends intensifying, affecting the common destiny of human survival and development, with global significance and international impact,” Xinhua reported.
International Collaboration at Sea
In a demonstration of scientific diplomacy, the expedition will involve joint operations with scientists from Russia and Germany, as reported by Science and Technology Daily. This collaborative approach aims to provide scientific data to support Arctic governance and global climate change response efforts.
The Fleet: A Showcase of Polar Capability
The four-vessel fleet represents the full spectrum of China’s polar research capabilities:
Xuelong (Snow Dragon) — China’s first polar research icebreaker, purchased from Ukraine and in service since 1994. Now nearly 32 years old, it remains the flagship of China’s polar fleet, having completed countless Antarctic and Arctic expeditions.
Xuelong 2 (Snow Dragon 2) — China’s first domestically built polar icebreaker, delivered in 2019. It is the world’s first polar icebreaker with bow and stern bidirectional icebreaking technology, capable of continuously breaking 1.5 meters of ice with 0.2 meters of snow at 2-3 knots. The vessel is equipped with seabed detection equipment, positioning systems, and advanced marine survey instruments.
Jidi (Polar) — A supporting polar research vessel operated by the North China Sea Bureau of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Tansuo 3 (Exploration 3) — A deep-sea research vessel that previously paired with the Fendouzhe manned submersible during the 2025 Arctic expedition to explore the Gakkel Ridge.
Building on a Record-Setting Predecessor
The 16th expedition follows China’s largest-ever Arctic mission in 2025. During that 15th expedition, the Fendouzhe submersible dove 5,277 meters to survey the eastern Gakkel Ridge — one of Earth’s least-explored seafloor regions — marking China’s first manned submersible exploration of the Arctic. Over 43 dives were conducted, collecting sediment cores, rocks, seawater, and biological specimens.
Public Engagement Before Departure
Before setting sail, Xuelong and Xuelong 2 opened for public visits at Dalian port on July 1-2, welcoming approximately 2,000 visitors. As People’s Daily Online reported, visitors toured the bridge, laboratories, flight deck, and living quarters, hearing from crew members about polar expeditions and scientific achievements.
Wang Bin, a 28-year-old system engineer on Xuelong 2 who has completed eight polar expeditions, told visitors: “The public is very interested in the polar regions, but doesn’t know much yet. As members of the polar community, we have the responsibility to tell everyone what polar expeditions are doing and what achievements have been made.”
A Growing Polar Legacy
China’s polar research program has evolved dramatically since its first Antarctic expedition in 1984, when scientists relied on hand-drawn weather charts. Today, China operates a “two ships, seven stations, one aircraft, one base” polar research support system. The progression from purchasing Xuelong from Ukraine to building the advanced Xuelong 2 domestically illustrates China’s technological advancement in polar shipbuilding.
Professor Li Wenhua of Dalian Maritime University, who participated in the 15th Arctic expedition and developed China’s first full-depth trace metal CTD winch system, remarked: “Nowadays, polar expeditions are increasingly using domestically produced equipment — this is the greatest achievement for us deep-sea science and technology workers!”
What to Watch For
As the first Arctic expedition of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), this mission signals China’s sustained commitment to polar research. The focus on the Gakkel Ridge — one of the planet’s least-explored underwater mountain ranges — positions China at the frontier of deep-sea Arctic science. With the Arctic warming significantly faster than the global average, data collected during this expedition will contribute to global climate models and our understanding of sea-level rise, shifting weather patterns, and ecosystem changes.
The expedition is expected to return to China by early October 2026.