China's latest Arctic scientific expedition has concluded with groundbreaking achievements in polar research. The Tan Suo San Hao (Exploration No. 3), the world's first ice-breaking manned deep-diving support vessel, returned on October 27 after completing 43 dives in the Arctic region. The mission marks a milestone in China's polar exploration capabilities, combining cutting-edge technology with collaborative research models.
The expedition, jointly organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, deployed two manned submersibles – the Fendouzhe (Striver) and Jiaolong – for coordinated underwater operations. This dual-submersible approach enabled simultaneous data collection at different depths, significantly enhancing research efficiency in the challenging Arctic environment.
Key achievements include:
Successful testing of China's first independently developed ice-capable research vessel
Collection of biological, geological, and hydrological samples from previously inaccessible Arctic zones
Development of new protocols for extreme cold-water submersible operations
The mission's findings are expected to contribute to global understanding of Arctic climate patterns and marine ecosystems, with potential implications for sustainable development and international scientific cooperation in polar regions.
