The Qingdao State Marine Science and Technology Lab, the only state level lab in the Chinese marine field, was put into use last month. It will provide a new scientific and technological engine for Chinese ocean development.

    According to Wu Lixin, the director of Qingdao State Marine Science and the Technology Lab and academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, by embracing the requirements of state ocean development strategy, the lab will conduct fundamental research and cutting-edge technological research. The lab will be built into an international first-class comprehensive marine science research center and open-ended collaborative innovative platform, attract innovation resources and teams to conduct original research, enhance the independent innovation capability of Chinese marine science and technology and lead Chinese marine technological development.

    At present, the lab has determined 6 research directions including the ocean and global climate change and sustainable utilization of marine biological resources and 8 functional labs have been organized including the marine dynamic process and climate functional lab and the marine biology and biotechnology functional lab.

    According to Wu Lixin, in the next 3 to 5 years, the lab will conduct research in the west Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and South China Sea on the marine environment and climate, deep and far sea fishery resources, marine drug resource development, sea oil gas and mineral resource exploitation and environment.

    Shandong Province and Qingdao Municipality have invested a total of 1.3 billion yuan for infrastructure construction. The project occupies 640 mu with a construction area of 150,000 square meters.