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 extended its 240-hour visa-free transit policy and Hainan's 30-day visa-free entry policy to citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam, the National Immigration Administration said on Aug 20.
