A bird's-eye view of the Deep Sea No 1 Phase II drilling platform in Lingshui, Hainan, on Aug 17, 2024. [Photo/VCG]

Hainan holds unique advantages for deep-sea exploration and utilization, by virtue of its vast expanse of deep-sea water areas.

Situated in the northwest part of the South China Sea, the island province administers roughly two million square kilometers of sea, encompassing two-thirds of the nation's total maritime territory. The South China Sea stands as the largest and deepest sea in China's offshore waters, with an average water depth of 1,212 meters and a maximum depth of 5,559 meters.

For example, the Sanya Deep Sea Science and Technology City is only 128 kilometers from the 1,000-meter deep-sea area and 260 km from the 2,000-meter deep-sea area, which makes it an ideal natural lab for deep-sea research and experiment.

Hainan’s innovation capabilities in marine science and technology have been steadily advancing. It hosts a number of national-level innovation facilities, including the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering of Chinese Academy of Sciences, alongside the State Key Laboratory of Marine Resources Utilization in the South China Sea. The laboratory is the first State key laboratory co-built in the province by Hainan and ministries.

A range of key national deep-sea research vessels and submersibles, such as the scientific research ship Tan Suo Yi Hao (Discovery One), Shenhai Yongshi (Deep-Sea Warrior) and Fendouzhe (Striver), are all stationed in Hainan, reinforcing the province’s role as a national leader in deep-sea exploration and innovation.


Key Areas:

Deep-sea and Far-reaching Sea Exploration

Marine Engineering Equipment

Exploration, Development and Utilization of Marine Resources

Source: Hainan Provincial Bureau of International Economic Development