Chinese icebreaker concludes Iceland visit

Chinese icebreaker, Xuelong, or Snow Dragon, docks in the Port of Akureyri in Iceland, Aug 20, 2012. Manned by China's fifth Arctic expedition team, the icebreaker, capable of breaking ice 1.2 meters thick, has become the first ship from China to cross the Arctic Ocean and pay a visit to an Arctic nation. During its four-day stay in Iceland, it was opened to the public in the cities of Reykjavik and Akureyri. Iceland's president and government officials visited the icebreaker.

Expedition leader Yang Huigen said it was of great importance for China to cooperate with arctic countries like Iceland, which provided significant help to China's Arctic research.

Xuelong set out from the port city of Qingdao on July 2 and will travel an estimated 17,000 nautical miles during its 90-day voyage. It is scheduled to return to Shanghai on September 29. [Photo/Xinhua]