China unveils first deep-sea testing site

China unveiled its first deep-sea testing site in Hainan province on Sunday, which was World Oceans Day, to boost the research and development of deep-sea equipment and drive the growth of the marine economy, officials said.

"Deep-sea regions are crucial strategic resource areas for countries around the world, and deep-sea manufacturing stands as the linchpin for advancing deep-sea exploration and exploitation," Cui Xiaojian, deputy director of the Hainan Provincial Oceanic Administration, said in Haikou, the provincial capital.

Deep-sea regions are renowned for their abundant mineral, biological and energy resources. The testing site, located about 200 kilometers southeast of Sanya in Hainan, sits at water depths between 1,300 and 1,500 meters across 400 square km. Cui said the site will feature an integrated service platform encompassing technology research and development, testing verification, industrial incubation and certification evaluation.

"By closely aligning with diverse application scenarios reflecting real-world demands, this initiative strives to catalyze deep-sea industrial upgrades, hasten the development of new high-quality productive forces in the marine sector, and inject new momentum into the high-quality development of the marine economy," Cui said.

Hainan administers around two-thirds of China's ocean area, covering 2 million sq km. With tropical marine depths averaging over 1,200 meters, it offers unique and strategically scarce resources nationwide, characterized by high pressure and low temperatures, Cui said.

The establishment of the new deep-sea testing site in Hainan, along with existing sites in Shandong, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, represents a comprehensive national layout of marine testing sites spanning north, east and south, covering areas from shallow seas to deep oceans, said Chu Jun, deputy director of the marine early warning and monitoring division of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The layout took into account the locations and characteristics of each marine area and acts as a pivotal bridge for translating marine scientific and technological achievements into tangible products. This approach also provides essential support for the collaborative development and sharing of marine resources, facilitating the building of a strong maritime nation, Chu said.

"Many maritime enterprises and institutions in our country have introduced novel equipment and products, necessitating immediate sea-based performance testing," Chu said. "The construction of marine testing sites can provide the requisite environment and conditions for relevant enterprises and institutions to test their deep-sea equipment, so they could play a leading role in fostering the growth of the marine economy.

"As the only deep-sea testing site, the new one can facilitate scientific research, the development of investigative equipment and the exploration of renewable energy resources in the deep sea," he said.