China to conduct first round-world oceanic expedition

Chinese oceanic research expedition ship Ocean One will set off from Qingdao in early April for the Pacific, the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean to go on a research expedition. This is the first time that China has organized an oceanic expedition spanning three oceans.

The expedition, which will last 300 days, is expected to be launched on April 2 and return in January 2006. The preliminary plan is to start off on the Pacific to conduct environment survey and sample collection in the polymetallic nodules survey contract zone of China, and launch comprehensive survey in the middle part of the East Pacific ridge. After crossing the Panama Canal and entering the Atlantic a moving survey will be conducted along the South Atlantic ridge. Once entering the Indian Ocean through the Cape of Good Hope it will carry out comprehensive survey near the branch point of the Indian Ocean ridge. Finally it will cross the Strait of Malacca before returning to the Pacific where it will continue survey on rich-cobalt crust.

By People's Daily Online