QINGDAO, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese oceanographic research ship Xiangyanghong 06 is sailing to the Pacific Ocean from a port in east China's Shandong Province for a 75-day expedition.

The expedition team, led by the Ministry of Natural Resources, will focus on the research about global change and sea-air interaction. Some 50 scientists on board will carry out surveys of marine geology and organisms living on sea bottoms in the West Pacific.

Before setting out, expedition members have made emergency plans and conducted rehearsals on the ship to prevent the novel coronavirus infection. All of them have tested negative for the virus, said a source of the ministry.

The ship returned to China in mid-March after completing a research expedition in the Indian Ocean. In less than a month, the preparation of supplies and examination of facilities were completed to ensure the success of the Pacific mission, the ministry source said.