China's largest oceanographic research center is under construction in Qingdao, East China's Shandong province, which marks the country's latest effort to become a leading force in maritime research.

Qingdao National Oceanographic Science and Technology Laboratory is expected to grow into a leading oceanographic research institution within 10 years, competing with the top-notch ones such as the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the United States, and the National Oceanographic Center of Britain.

Located in Qingdao Blue Silicon Valley Core Area, it covers an area of 42.67 hectares. Financed by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Shandong and Qingdao governments, it is a joint program launched by five universities and scientific research institutions in Qingdao, including the Ocean University of China.

Pan Kehou, director of the preparatory office for the National Oceanographic Science and Technology Laboratory, said the project will focus on six major research areas, such as marine environmental science and technology, and marine resource exploitation and protection.

"It will establish a total of 15 functional laboratories related to ocean and global climate change, marine biotechnology, marine pharmaceutical and biological products, marine mineral resources, coastal and offshore engineering and marine environmental protection," Pan told China Daily.

"Five major platforms for different scientific fields such as deep-sea research, large-instrument testing equipment, sample databases and eight engineering technological research centers for the comprehensive use of seawater, marine meters and instruments and anti-corrosive and anti-fouling are also planned," he added.

With an investment of 100 million yuan ($15.67 million), the laboratory will be developed in three phases.

The first phase including a building complex and a high-performance calculating and simulation platform have been finished and will come into use soon.

The second phase will start in August this year. It consists of three public technological platforms and four engineering technological research centers.

The third phase, starting at the end of this year, will cover marine biotechnology, a public technical service platform, three engineering technological research centers, a marine and scientific museum, as well as facilities for working and academic exchanges and accommodation.

"The laboratory will attract outstanding scientists all over the world and serve as a platform for scientific and technological exchanges and training. We hope it will be one of the world's leading marine research institutions within 10 years," Pan said.

xiechuanjiao@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/31/2012 page24)