SHANGHAI -- The deep-sea floating research facility, one of China's major scientific research infrastructure projects, began construction in east China's Shanghai on Saturday, with the capability to support scientific research in marine equipment, ocean resources, and marine science.

The facility is being built by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and is scheduled for completion by 2030. It comprises three major systems, including the main platform, shipborne laboratories, and shore-based support. The laboratories cover marine disasters, meteorological observation and research, the marine underwater physical environment, and other fields.

The platform uses semi-submersible and twin-hull vessel design, featuring the capability to conduct sea trials for large-scale deep-sea equipment weighing up to about 100 tonnes, and enabling scientific exploration and experimental research at ocean depths of up to 10,000 meters.

The facility will be capable of sustained presence in deep-sea mission areas for cross-seasonal scientific observation and engineering trials. It can also be rapidly mobilized and deployed, allowing for flexible adjustment of its operational sea areas.

Upon completion, it will provide a real-sea testing platform for deep-sea mining systems, key marine equipment, and offshore oil and gas equipment, accelerating the utilization of marine resources.

It will also help reveal seasonal patterns of marine ecosystem evolution, explore the mysteries of life's origins and evolution, and is expected to further improve typhoon forecasting accuracy and enhance disaster prevention and mitigation capabilities.