China, Russia Launch Joint Marine Research Expedition Vladivostok, Bering Sea

China and Russia have launched their first joint oceanographic expedition in five years aboard the research vessel Akademik M.A. Lavrentyev, departing from Vladivostok for a 45-day mission in the Bering Sea and the northwestern Pacific Ocean. The expedition, involving 25 scientists from both countries, focuses on paleoceanography, paleoclimatology, and ecosystem research to better understand climate evolution and environmental changes in the North Pacific-Arctic region. It aims to study sediment processes, marine ecosystems, and historical climate patterns over the last 126,000 years to forecast future environmental changes. The mission marks the resumption of bilateral marine research cooperation suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reflects a shared commitment by China and Russia to address global climate change and advance marine science. The collaboration also reinforces deep mutual trust and scientific ties between the two nations, with expectations that the findings will aid in assessing climate impacts on fisheries, ecosystems, and shipping routes. This expedition is separate from Russia's concurrent large-scale naval exercises in the Pacific and Arctic Oceans.