Kexue, China’s latest cutting-edge research vessel, departed Xiamen, Fujian province, on July 23 to conduct the second phase of its marine research mission in the South China Sea.

First put in operation in 2014, Kexue is China’s most advanced, independently-built marine science vessel for deep-water and open sea exploration and research.

The unmanned submersible Faxian as seen on deck of Kexue. [Photo/Xinhua]