China's to conduct its first deep-sea drilling vessel and make trial voyage

It is China’s first vessel capable of ultra-deep-water research and drilling. - PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: PIXABAY via The Straits Times/ANN

BEIJING (AFP): China's first domestically developed deep-sea drilling vessel will make a trial voyage this week, state media announced Monday, calling it a key step in China's ocean exploration capabilities.

"Mengxiang", which means "dream", is the world's most advanced ship of its kind, state broadcaster CCTV said, with a drilling capacity of 11,000 metres (36,000 feet).