China's icebreaker Jidi begins comprehensive sea ice survey in Liaodong bay

China

China's icebreaker Jidi begins comprehensive sea ice survey in Liaodong bay

2026-01-23 16:23 Last Updated At：01-25 12:48

China's independently developed icebreaker research vessel, Jidi, has initiated a comprehensive sea ice survey in the Liaodong Bay of the Bohai Sea in the country's northeast to support ice disaster prevention and maritime safety.

Sea ice poses a significant hazard to northern Chinese coastal regions during winter, with the Liaodong Bay of the Bohai Sea being the most severely affected area. On Thursday, the Jidi and its scientific team conducted full-scale data collection and analysis in the core ice zone.

The 2026 Winter Bohai-Yellow Sea Sea Ice Survey Team, composed of researchers from 10 domestic institutions, is employing advanced technologies such as electromagnetic ice-thickness radar, 3D surface scanning, sub-ice acoustic detection, and AI-assisted analysis. The data will be used to ensure navigation safety and protect offshore energy infrastructure, while also providing technical support for ice-resistant engineering designs and improved forecasting systems.

"We are obtaining core data including ice thickness profiles and physical-mechanical parameters. Current satellite and ship observations indicate drift ice coverage in the Liaodong Bay exceeds 10,000 square kilometers," said Li Ge, leader of the survey team.

The Jidi vessel, delivered in June 2024, is capable of breaking ice up to one meter thick and is equipped with comprehensive marine survey instruments. Since entering the Liaodong Bay on Sunday, it has conducted six consecutive days of navigation and research operations.

The survey also includes an ecological assessment of the bay, which serves as the southernmost breeding ground for the protected spotted seal. During winter, the seals rely on sea ice as a breeding and nursing habitat.

"In this survey, we will conduct drone-based infrared monitoring and collect samples including eDNA from the water to thoroughly understand the population distribution of spotted seals and their prey species, as well as the ecological condition of the breeding area," said Pan Yulong, leader of the survey team's ecology group. The Jidi will continue its multidisciplinary survey in the coming weeks, collecting vital data to enhance China's sea ice research and maritime safety capabilities.

Escalating Middle East tensions drive up energy prices, squeezing US consumers

Soaring oil prices triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East have heightened U.S. inflation pressures, with analysts warning that households face hundreds of dollars in extra costs if crude climbs further.

Data released on Tuesday by the American Automobile Association (AAA) showed that the national average price of regular gasoline in the United States has risen 18.64 percent compared with Feb. 26. The AAA data also indicated that the national average price of diesel on Tuesday was up 22.85 percent from a week earlier.

Mark Zandi, chief economist at global ratings agency Moody's, warned that U.S. consumers are being threatened by a sharp rise in fuel prices. He said that if international oil prices climb by another 10 U.S. dollars per barrel, annual spending for an average U.S. household would increase by about 450 dollars.

Zandi noted that a surge in oil prices would intensify inflationary pressure in the United States, eroding consumers' purchasing power and weighing on consumption, economic growth, and employment.

Tensions sharply escalated across the Middle East on Feb 28 when the United States and Israel launched large-scale joint airstrikes on Iran. The Iranian side has responded with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. assets across the region, hitting many countries in the Gulf.