China's first multi-functional ship for scientific expedition and archaeological exploration on far-reaching oceans started construction on Sunday in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province.

With a design length of about 103 meters and a displacement of roughly 9,200 tonnes, the new research vessel can accommodate 80 people and travel at a speed as fast as 16 knots (about 30 km/h), covering a distance of 15,000 nautical miles (27,780 kilometers), China Media Group reported.

Boasting a versatile vessel, it features functions including unrestricted water navigation, manned deep diving, deep-sea exploration, comprehensive operation support and heavy safety payloads. It is also able to conduct maritime surveys in the polar regions in summer. Both its bow and stern can break through ice.

The vessel is expected to provide required samples and environmental data for research on cutting-edge issues related to deep-sea geology, environment and life sciences, and provide disciplinary guidance and underwater operation support for deep-sea archaeology.

Sea trial and application of deep-sea core technology and equipment can be tested on the vessel as well.

It will be equipped with self-developed systems, making technological breakthroughs in overall ship design, intelligent control and accurate low-temperature compensation, among others.

The vessel will be built into an open and shared maritime platform integrating multiple systems and disciplines, which is of great significance to enhance China's strength in deep sea endeavors, such as manned/unmanned deep diving and archaeological operations.

It is expected be put into operation at sea after completion in 2025.