China launches safety broadcasts for Arctic shipping routes

TIANJIN, July 2 (Xinhua) -- China on Monday began radio broadcasts of maritime safety information for Arctic shipping routes, including sea ice monitoring and weather forecast information, according to the Maritime Safety Administration's Northern Navigation Service Center.

A station in north China's Tianjin Municipality will provide broadcast services for the world's northernmost sea routes using single-sideband radio phones from July 1 to Oct. 31 each year.

Relying on data provided by meteorological and remote-sensing satellites, the services will focus on analyzing and forecasting sea ice concentration and weather information in key areas such as the Bering Strait, the Dmitry Laptev Strait, the Vilkitsky Strait and the Kara Strait.

The broadcasts will fill the gap in China's Arctic-route maritime safety information by utilizing shortwave communication, ensuring the navigation safety of Chinese vessels, according to the center. ■