China’s Xue Long 2 Icebreaker Reaches Arctic for 2025 Polar Mission

China’s state-of-the-art icebreaker, the Xue Long 2 (“Snow Dragon 2”), has reached the Beaufort Sea, north of Alaska, as part of its high-profile 2025 summer Arctic research mission. The vessel, operated by the Polar Research Institute of China (PRIC), departed Shanghai on July 5 and has since threaded a route through the Bering Strait before advancing into the icy Arctic frontier.

An Icebreaker at the Forefront of Science

Designed and built domestically, Xue Long 2 entered service in 2019 and is internationally recognized for its advanced dual-direction icebreaking capacity, able to break 1.5m-thick ice at a steady 3 knots. The vessel, 122.5m in length and displacing over 14,000 tons, supports a complement of up to 90—split between crew and researchers.

Aboard are scientists tasked with disciplines ranging from marine biology to atmospheric studies, climate modeling, and geographic surveys, all critical as changes accelerate in polar environments.

Recent Fleet Movements and International Observations

The 2025 expedition is not without international attention. As the Xue Long 2 progressed northward, the Canadian Coast Guard’s CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier conducted parallel patrols in the region, while Canadian patrol aircraft monitored the vessel’s journey, highlighting the sensitive strategic interests at play in the Arctic. PRIC continues to operate a growing suite of research stations, with four in Antarctica and one in the Arctic, all supported by its icebreakers. Additional Chinese vessels, Jidi and Tan Suo San Hao, are also headed for the high north this season, marking a robust Chinese presence in polar research efforts.

Official Statements

Captain Xiao Zhimin, speaking during a recent Royal Visit port stop in Thailand, asserted:

“Our primary mission is to support multidisciplinary polar research and provide logistical support for China’s network of Arctic and Antarctic stations.”

In a statement to Newsweek, the Canadian Joint Operations Command emphasized its vigilance:

“Competitors exploring the Arctic... gathering data using dual [research] vessels that can also serve as surveillance platforms. Canadian Forces continue to monitor the Xue Long 2 as long as it operates near Canadian territorial waters.”

Strong Cooperative Outcomes

On its previous Antarctic mission, the Xue Long 2 facilitated international collaborations, including research with teams from more than ten nations; it also opened its decks for public tours during port calls in New Zealand and Thailand to build scientific ties.

The Road Ahead

As the 2025 Arctic season unfolds, Xue Long 2 is expected to support major scientific discoveries and reinforce China’s expanding role in polar research and international scientific collaboration.