China's 13th Arctic expedition team set sail on Wednesday for a mission expected to last through to late September and cover a voyage of 15,500 nautical miles.

This mission will focus on the long-term monitoring of key environmental factors and the geographical situation of median ridges along with geophysics.

"During the current mission, we'll study the middle Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Sector and Gakkel Ridge. Our research programs include those on the atmosphere, the marine environment, biotic resources, geological issues, as well as those related to geophysics," said Wang Jinhui, captain of China's 13th Arctic scientific expedition mission.

The latest mission is expected to enhance China's capacity in Arctic protection, countering changes and evaluating marine pollution. During the mission, scientists will also glean data and conduct research with their counterparts from Russia, Thailand and other countries.

During the expedition mission last year, which lasted 79 days and covered a voyage of 14,000 nautical miles, the team completed comprehensive observations of the atmosphere, ocean and ecology in the Chukchi Sea, focusing on addressing climate change and protecting the ecological environment of the Arctic.

Geographically, China is a "Near-Arctic State," one of the continental states closest to the Arctic Circle. The natural conditions of the Arctic and their changes have a direct impact on China's climate system and ecological environment and, in turn, on its economic interests in agriculture, forestry, fishery, marine industry and other sectors.

Since 1999, China has completed 12 scientific expeditions in the Arctic, with its research vessels Xuelong and Xuelong 2 as the platform.

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