China's comprehensive research vessel KEXUE returns from expedition in western Pacific

A drone photo taken on Aug. 7, 2026 shows China's comprehensive research vessel KEXUE at a wharf base in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. KEXUE docked at a wharf base of the Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Friday, marking the conclusion of a shared research cruise in the western Pacific after a 35-day voyage covering 5,845 nautical miles. The data and samples obtained during the cruise will provide scientific support for more accurate typhoon forecasting and global climate change research. (Photo by Yu Fangping/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Aug. 7, 2026 shows China's comprehensive research vessel KEXUE entering a wharf base in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. KEXUE docked at a wharf base of the Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Friday, marking the conclusion of a shared research cruise in the western Pacific after a 35-day voyage covering 5,845 nautical miles. The data and samples obtained during the cruise will provide scientific support for more accurate typhoon forecasting and global climate change research. (Photo by Yu Fangping/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Aug. 7, 2026 shows China's comprehensive research vessel KEXUE entering a wharf base in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. KEXUE docked at a wharf base of the Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Friday, marking the conclusion of a shared research cruise in the western Pacific after a 35-day voyage covering 5,845 nautical miles. The data and samples obtained during the cruise will provide scientific support for more accurate typhoon forecasting and global climate change research. (Photo by Zhang Jingang/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Aug. 7, 2026 shows China's comprehensive research vessel KEXUE at a wharf base in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. KEXUE docked at a wharf base of the Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Friday, marking the conclusion of a shared research cruise in the western Pacific after a 35-day voyage covering 5,845 nautical miles. The data and samples obtained during the cruise will provide scientific support for more accurate typhoon forecasting and global climate change research. (Photo by Zhang Jingang/Xinhua)

A drone photo taken on Aug. 7, 2026 shows China's comprehensive research vessel KEXUE at a wharf base in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. KEXUE docked at a wharf base of the Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Friday, marking the conclusion of a shared research cruise in the western Pacific after a 35-day voyage covering 5,845 nautical miles. The data and samples obtained during the cruise will provide scientific support for more accurate typhoon forecasting and global climate change research. (Photo by Yu Fangping/Xinhua)

Liang Xixiang, a member of the scientific expedition aboard China's comprehensive research vessel KEXUE, holds his daughter at a wharf base in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, Aug. 7, 2026. KEXUE docked at a wharf base of the Institute of Oceanology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Friday, marking the conclusion of a shared research cruise in the western Pacific after a 35-day voyage covering 5,845 nautical miles. The data and samples obtained during the cruise will provide scientific support for more accurate typhoon forecasting and global climate change research. (Photo by Zhang Jingang/Xinhua)