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Tag: Xuelong

  • Xuelong returns after historic voyage

    Xuelong returns after historic voyage

    Xuelong in the port of Shangai

    The historic voyage of the Xuelong, the Chinese icebreaker, was concluded yesterday when it returned to Shanghai. Xuelong, or the Snow Dragon, is the first Chinese vessel to complete a high-latitude voyage across the Arctic Ocean.

    The Xuelong travelled 18.500 nautical miles during the three month voyage, including 5370nm in the Arctic Ocean.

    A statement from the Polar Research Institute of China states that the expedition team has successfully performed various scientific research tasks. A total of 119 crew members were on board.
    The researchers conducted a systematic geophysical survey, installed an automatic meteorological station, as well as launched investigations on oceanic turbulence and methane content in the Arctic area.

    They also held academic exchanges with their counterparts in Iceland, and the two groups conducted a joint oceanic survey in the waters around Iceland.

    The CHINARE5, Chinas Fifth National Arctic Research Expedition, left the Chinese port of Qingdao on the 2nd of July. It arrived in Iceland in August and spent four days in the country, opening the ship to the public both in Reykjavik and Akureyri, as well as co-operating on symposiums in both towns.
    “It’s the longest Arctic expedition we’ve ever had in terms of both sailing time and distance,” said Chen Hongxia, a professor at the State Oceanic Administration’s First Institute of Oceanography, who participated in the voyage.
     

    “Unfortunately we didn’t reach the North Pole because Xuelong’s icebreaking capability isn’t strong enough,” said Wang Shuoren, political commissar of the icebreaker.

    China is designing a new icebreaker, which is scheduled to go into operation in 2014.

    Source

    China Daily

  • Xuelong to sail through future central route

    Xuelong to sail through future central route

    Xuelong in the port of Akureyri

    The Chinese icebreaker Xuelong is heading to the North Pole. The CHINARE5, Chinas Fifth National Research Expedition, is aiming for the future central Arctic shipping route on its way back to China.

    This historic voyage is hoping to break the ice at the North Pole in an effort to show that it is indeed possible to sail an icebreaker through the route.

    The central Arctic shipping route is to many the most feasible route in Arctic shipping, as it is the shortest way through the Arctic.

    Xuelong will carry out more research in the Arctic Ocean on its way back to China, after successfully conducting extensive research on route to Iceland in the summer.

    The Xuelong sailed the Northern Sea Route, along the coast of Russia, in its journey. It is scheduled to be in Shanghai in the end of September.

    Source

    Chinare5

  • Recordings from the China-Iceland symposium

    Recordings from the China-Iceland symposium

    Dr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, president of Iceland, visits Xuelong with his wife, Dorrit Moussief

    In relation to Xuelongs visit in Iceland, the second China-Iceland symposium was held this morning. The venue was the University of Iceland were speakers from both countries exchanged views and information.

    President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson attended the symposium and held the closing remarks. Amongst other he said the CHINARE5 expedition was of global significance, one who would go into the history books.
    Click on the names to watch the presentations.

    Agenda:

    8:30 – Opening by Iceland’s Senior Arctic Official, Hjálmar W. Hannesson and the Chinese Ambassador to Iceland, H.E. Su Ge.

    8:50 – 9:40 Dr. Huigen Yang, Polar Research Institute in China and Prof. Deyi Ma, Director of the First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration
    8:50 – 9:40 Dr. Huigen Yang, Polar Research Institute in China and Prof. Deyi Ma, Director of the First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration “An Overview of Chinese Arctic Research”.

    Dr. Þorsteinn Gunnarsson, the Icelandic Centre for Research.

    “Iceland’s Arctic Policy and International Research Cooperation”.

    9:40 – 10:30 Dr. Ruibo Lei, Polar Research Institute of China.

    “Interactions among Arctic Atmosphere, Sea Ice and Ocean and their Links to the Climate in China”.

    Associate professor, Ingibjörg Jónsdóttir, University of Iceland, Science Institute.

    “Remote Sensing of Sea Ice, Observations and Measurements during the CHINARE5 Expedition”.

    From the symposium

    10:30 – Coffee break

    10:50 –11:40 Dr. Yanguang Liu, the First Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration.

    “Reviewing and Proceedings of Marine Geological Survey during the Chinese Arctic Expedition”.

    Dr. Ármann Höskuldsson, University of Iceland, Institute of Earth Sciences

    “Volcanic and tectonic evolution of the Reykjanesridge”.

    Dr. Jón Eiríksson, University of Iceland, Institute of Earth Sciences.

    “Geological Record of Oceanographic Variability at the Arctic Front”.

    11:40 – 12:30 Dr. Minggang Cai, Xiamen University.

    “Fate of Some Persistent Toxic Substances from the Northern Pacific to the Adjacent Arctic”.

    Dr. Helgi Jensson, the Environment Agency of Iceland.

    “Monitoring of Pollutants in the Marine Environment around Iceland”.

    12:30 – 12:40 Signing Ceremony.

    12:40 – 13:00 Closing remarks by the president of Iceland, Dr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson.

  • Towards the North – Xuelong to reach Akureyri on Monday the 20th

    Towards the North – Xuelong to reach Akureyri on Monday the 20th

    Xuelong statistics

    On Monday, 20th of August 2012, the Snow Dragon, research ice – breaker from Polar Research Institute of China, is expected to anchorage in Akureyri in the northern part of Iceland.

    The venue will open for participants at 9.00 (Icelandic local time) with the speech given by the Chairman of Akureyri Town Council Geir Kristinn Aðalsteinsson and the Chinese Ambassador to Iceland – Su Ge.

    Recently, China has achieved dimensional developments of Arctic linkage, especially in understanding of the earth system and global climate change. To raise public and governmental awareness and interests Dr. Huigen Yang and Prof. Deyi Ma will give a presentation on “Chinese Polar Research and CHINARE 5” to highlight the main features of Chinese contribution to the Arctic science and promote international cooperation with regards to science and technology of polar research activities.

    The Icelandic Chinese science cooperation will be further discussed under the chairmanship of Dr. Thorsteinn Gunnarsson from Icelandic Centre for Research (RANNIS).

    China makes big efforts to understand Arctic environmental changes and nature´s evolution, therefore conjugate observation of dayside aurora and new Icelandic – Chinese Joint Aurora Observatory project will be presented and explained by Dr. Hu and Dr. Björnsson to encourage the exploration of unknown frontiers in the deep universe.

    The Snow Dragon on the way to Iceland

    New perspectives on Arctic shipping cooperation will be given by Mr. Egill Nielsson and Prof. Zhang Xia from Polar Research Institute of China jointly with Ms. Embla Oddsdottir from Stefansson Arctic Institute who will introduce the harmonious culture of sustainable Arctic Shipping.

    The rector of the University of Akureyri – Dr. Stefán B. Sigurðsson will be given his closing remarks before whole group will participate the working lunch hosted by the Town of Akureyri.

    The Xuelong will be open for external visitors on Monday, 20th of August from 12.00 – 16.00 p.m. Introduction to the open day will be conducted by the mayor of Akureyri and Chinese ambassador. The visitors will get a chance to meet the staff from Akureyri town council, University of Akureyri,Stefansson Arctic Institute, Arctic Portal and Icelandic Arctic Cooperation Network.

    CHINARE 5 will leave northern Iceland on Monday´s evening, turning its rudder towards Shanghai.

    Please, see the full schedule of Chinare5 Open Day.

    Source

    Chinare5

  • China´s 5th Arctic Expedition heads to Iceland

    China´s 5th Arctic Expedition heads to Iceland

    The estimated route of the Snow Dragon

    China´s fifth Arctic expedition is en route to the Arctic. The Snow Dragon, Xuelong, left Qingdao in China on the 2nd of July.

    It will sail through the Northern Sea rout, carrying out various ressearch objectives in four fields. The fields are Physical Oceanography and Sea Ice, Marine Geology research, Chemistry and Atmospheric Chemistry and Biology and ecolosystem research.

    Arctic Portal is a cooperative partner in the project and a website about the expedition has opened at Chinare5.

    The Snow Dragon’s expedition to Iceland is an important token of the two countries Arctic research collaboration for years to come. Its arrival comes in light of the parties increased cooperation in Arctic affairs during recent years, which recently saw a framework agreement signed by the two governments. The Snow Dragon’s arrival in Iceland will further strengthen these ties and make way for mutually beneficial research for both sides.

    During its stay in Iceland the public will have an opportunity visit the Snow Dragon.

    This will be the first time that a Chinese Arctic expedition will sail through the Northern Sea Route.
    It is estimated that the 15.000km voyage will land in Reykjavík in the middle of August, before visiting Akureyri and then heading back to China.

    Please visit Chinare5 for more information.