China to embark on 5th Arctic expeditionMarch 12, 2012 - 20:57 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - China will conduct its fifth Arctic expedition between July and September via the Northeast Passage, the country's first attempt through the shipping route also known as the Northern Sea Route, RIA Novosti reported citing Xinhua. The expedition aboard the Snow Dragon icebreaker will carry out oceanic, atmospheric, sea-ice and marine life research in the Arctic region, Liu Cigui, director of the State Oceanic Administration, said. "If the expedition goes according to plan it will also be the first time for a Chinese icebreaker to reach the Barents Sea," Liu said. Previously, China carried out four expeditions in the Arctic, in 1999, 2003, 2008 and 2010. Starting in April, China will send researchers to the Yellow River Station in the Svalbard archipelago of Norway for the Arctic research missions. There are two routes available through the ice-choked Arctic Ocean, the Northwest Passage and the Northeast Passage. The Northwest Passage goes through the cold Arctic waters north of Canada, and the Northeast Passage extends along the northern coast of Russia. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. U.S. welcomes efforts to define Armenia-Azerbaijan border The United States welcomes efforts to define the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, says Vedant Patel. Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. |