Ecosphere News | Kathmandu, August 10, 2026
China’s domestically built polar research icebreaker Xuelong 2 (Snow Dragon 2) has begun its first ice station survey in the central Arctic Ocean during the country’s 16th Arctic scientific expedition, marking an important step in efforts to better understand the rapidly changing Arctic environment.
The survey commenced near 84° North latitude on 9 August, when scientists established a temporary research station directly on a floating sea-ice floe. The operation is designed to collect crucial data on sea-ice melt, ocean circulation, atmospheric conditions, and Arctic ecosystems.
According to the expedition team, researchers will conduct more than 20 scientific projects across seven ice stations during the mission. Key activities include:
Ice-core drilling and sampling
Sea-ice thickness and snow measurements
Deployment of drifting buoys for long-term monitoring
Remote-sensing observations of sea ice
Atmospheric and meteorological measurements
Studies of under-ice marine ecosystems and biological productivity
The expedition is being coordinated by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources and involves four research vessels: Xuelong, Xuelong 2, Jidi, and Tansuo-3. The broader Arctic mission departed from Dalian on 3 July 2026 and is expected to continue until early October.
Scientists say the central Arctic Ocean is experiencing profound environmental changes as rising global temperatures accelerate the decline of summer sea ice. Understanding the interactions between the atmosphere, sea ice, ocean, and marine life is considered essential for improving climate models and assessing future impacts on global weather patterns and ocean systems.
Commissioned in 2019, Xuelong 2 is China’s first domestically built polar research icebreaker. The 122.5-meter vessel is equipped with advanced laboratories, helicopter facilities, and specialized systems for conducting research in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
Polar research teams are also operating under strict safety protocols, including continuous polar bear monitoring and emergency response measures, as scientists work directly on drifting sea ice far from the vessel.
Climate experts note that international observations from the central Arctic are becoming increasingly important as the region approaches conditions that could see substantially reduced summer sea-ice coverage in coming decades. The data collected during the Xuelong 2 ice station survey are expected to contribute to global scientific efforts aimed at understanding Arctic climate change, ecosystem transformation, and long-term environmental resilience.
Source: China’s Ministry of Natural Resources and international polar research updates.
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