Vessel to boost Hainan FTZ construction, deep-sea industry

Tan Suo Er Hao arrives at Nanshan Port in Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City on June 28. [Photo/Sanya Daily]

The Tan Suo Er Hao, the mother ship of China's first manned submersible that is fully equipped with homemade scientific research operation equipment, arrived at Nanshan Port of Sanya Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City on June 28.

In addition to supporting routine scientific research operations in the deep sea, the ship can also carry the 10,000-meter manned submersible the Fendouzhe (Striver) and the Shenhai Yongshi (Deep Sea Warrior) manned submersible 4,500 meters.

"The ship is one of the moves to cultivate the deep-sea industry, promote the construction of a free trade port, as well as boost deep-sea scientific and technological innovation, while relying on the resources of the deep-sea science and technology city. It will play a key role in promoting China's deep-sea engineering and scientific investigation and research," said Tong Liyan, an official from Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City.

Apart from the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, a growing number of research institutions and enterprises are settling in Yazhou Bay Science and Technology City, which will provide a driving force for the construction of a deep-sea science and technology innovation center in China.