China's first deep-sea multi-functional research vessel undocked in Guangzhou

China's first deep-sea multi-functional scientific research and archaeological vessel completed its official undocking in Guangzhou on Saturday, marking a breakthrough in overall ship design for polar regions and enhancing China's ability to explore global maritime areas.

The vessel Tansuo-3, independently built by China's prominent shipbuilding company Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), reportedly has a number of iconic features, including manned deep-sea diving, deep-sea detection, heavy-duty safety payload capabilities and comprehensive operational support.

Additionally, it boasts a total length of approximately 104 meters, a designed displacement of around 10,000 tons, a range of 15,000 nautical miles, and can house up to 80 crew members.

As a new type of multi-functional scientific research vessel, Tansuo-3 is capable of conducting deep-sea scientific investigations and cultural relic excavations, as well as polar sea area investigations in summer.

"During the vessel's construction, GSI has overcome monopolistic bottlenecks in key technologies including overall ship design for polar regions, intelligent control, precise temperature compensation in low-temperature environments, and the integrated design of ice-load and heavy-load structures for polar areas. In the development and expansion of scientific research equipment and their functions, we actively promote the utilization of domestically produced equipment and explore their applications in polar regions," said He Guangwei, GSI's deputy chief engineer.

After its undocking, the vessel will enter the debugging stage, with the expected delivery scheduled for the beginning of 2025.

"The deep-sea multi-functional scientific research and archaeological vessel will serve as an open and shared maritime platform for collaborative innovation across different fields of research in China. The vessel's undocking marks a big step forward for China's ability to independently develop exploration equipment and design ships for deep sea in polar regions. The vessel will broaden China's capacity for manned deep-sea diving, allowing operations not just across all ocean depths, but also throughout all maritime areas, which boosts China's capabilities for deep-sea archaeological work," said Tanggu Lashan, chief engineer at Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

China's first deep-sea multi-functional research vessel undocked in Guangzhou

Leading traditional automakers and China's emerging new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturers are developing products that are more suitable for the Chinese consumer market, with companies vying to debut their latest offerings at the ongoing auto show in Beijing.

Running from April 25 to May 4, this year's Auto China, also known as the Beijing Auto Show, serves as a testament to China's leading position in the NEV market.

With a strong focus on NEVs, Chinese carmakers are driving competition and pushing the boundaries of what electric vehicles can offer.

German auto giant Volkswagen just launched its new ID.UX all-electric vehicle models at the auto show. 

"It is truly a reflection of our commitment to delivering electrifying new choices and exceptional digital experiences for our customers in China. In today's ICV (intelligent connected vehicles) era, consumers seek immersive, emotional experiences. Every ID.UX model, as you can see behind me, features a golden 'VW' logo, symbolizing our dedication to innovation, quality and uniqueness. We are delivering on our 'in China, for China' promise to customers at 'China speed'," said Erwin Gabardi, Volkswagen (AnHui) Automotive Company Limited. 

Domestic NEV makers Xpeng and NIO unveiled new models at the auto show, which cater to a more budget-conscious market segment. 

"Onvo, our new subsidiary, has a primary focus on the family market. We want to create the finest SUV for families. We are confident in the performance of our first model, the L60. With our intelligent technology and extensive charging and battery swapping network, we believe it will surpass expectations," said Li Bin, founder and CEO of NIO. 

According to experts, the introduction of models that target different market segments is seen as a positive factor contributing to healthy competition in the NEV market. 

"In an era of new technology development and diverse consumer needs, auto companies are placing significant emphasis on targeting specific segments to cater to the differentiated demands of consumers. This approach proves beneficial for promoting the automobile industry," said Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association.

Major car brands showcase new NEV models at Beijing Auto Show