From September 4 to 5, the Seminar on the Development of Major Polar Equipment and Frontier Exploration of Multidisciplinary Intersections, hosted by the State Key Laboratory of Submarine Geoscience, was held in Hangzhou. Nearly 60 experts and scholars from 23 relevant domestic institutions, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Polar Research Institute of China, and the SIO, attended the meeting. Academician Li Jiabiao, Director of the State Key Laboratory of Submarine Geoscience, chaired the meeting, and Director Fang Yinxia delivered a welcome speech.

During the seminar, 21 experts delivered reports on two main themes: frontier scientific issues in multidisciplinary polar research and polar science and technology. The participating experts engaged in extensive discussions on areas such as multidisciplinary shared expeditions in polar regions, frontier scientific problems of polar seabeds, and the application of major equipment in polar regions. They proposed a series of suggestions, including addressing major national needs, focusing on major scientific issues, and balancing multidisciplinary integration.

Academician Li Jiabiao pointed out in his summary that innovation in marine science is driven by advancements in observational technologies, and that polar science and technology have entered a new phase. He stated that polar research should focus on frontier scientific issues, support major national needs, and consider directions such as multi-vessel operations, diversified investment, and coordinated planning for fast and slow environmental changes. Deputy Director Zhang Liang from the Department of Earth Sciences at the National Natural Science Foundation of China also expressed the willingness to establish a new platform for polar cooperation, and fully leverage the institutional advantages of shared expeditions and the role of leading scientists in the polar field to drive breakthroughs in major polar scientific issues.