China’s first locally-built oceanographic research ship

The ship, built at a privately-owned Zhejiang Tianshi Shipbuilding at a price of approximately RMB200m ($30.9m), was launched in Wenling, Zhejiang province.

In accordance to plan, the ship named Zhang Jian will make a trial voyage at the end of May before undertaking its first scientific research mission in the Mariana Trench, western Pacific Ocean, in December.

Zhang Jian will also serve as a mother vessel for manned submersible which can dive 11,000 metres into the ocean for research purposes.

Food laid out before the ship as an offering to sea deities to pray for safety at sea

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