XIAMEN -- China's new scientific expedition vessel 'Xiangyanghong 03' was put into service and joined China's oceanic research team in Xiamen, Fujian province on Saturday.
At a cost of 580 million yuan ($89 million), the 4,500-tonne ship was built by the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) and Wuchang shipbuilding industry group.
Xiangyanghong 03 is able to work in any navigable area, including the polar regions.
Yu Xingguang, director of the Third Institute of Oceanography under the SOA, said the vessel will carry out deep sea observation, exploration, sampling and analysis, and will be a mobile lab and experimentation platform for scientific research and technology development in deep sea and oceanic area.
The vessel is expected to make its maiden voyage in May.
China has decided to extend its visa waiver policy to ordinary passport holders from Canada and the United Kingdom starting from Feb 17.
Forty-one new port-of-entry duty-free shops have been established nationwide, with Xiamen Xiang'an International Airport, Xiamen Wutong Passenger Wharf, and Xiamen International Cruise Center included on the list.
