The oceans are, as we know, rich in resources that mankind still knows so little about. "There's one world, there's one ocean," Wu Lixin, director of the Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, told "The Point with Liu Xin". Wu's team is trying to build a collaborative platform for scientists from around the world to do research and share outcomes to benefit the whole of mankind.

Wu said the lab is initiating a project to build the country's first ocean-drilling vessel called, "Dream". It is expected to be the third ocean-drilling vessel in the world following the US's "JOIDES Resolution" and Japan's "Chikyu." The construction of the vessel is aimed at  developing China's deep-sea related technologies, including resource exploration. The ultimate aim of the project is to drill into the Earth's mantle. Wu expects that the vessel will be in operation in 3-5 years. 

Liu also took a tour of and made a live broadcast on Facebook from an interlab for high-end marine equipment. Wu showcased drones, underwater robots, and other equipment developed by China for marine research and exploration. Liu found out that China had perfected the technology of unmanned drones long before it captured one from the US in the South China Sea last December.

During the ongoing "two sessions", a government work report was released on Sunday by Premier Li Keqiang in which he highlighted the importance of technology and innovation in opening up to the outside world.

Qingdao's marine lab received full support from the local government, with the marine economy having already become a mainstay local industry. According to Deputy Director of Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology Li Tianchuan, the preparatory work on the lab started in 2000, with total investment reaching 2.6 billion yuan. In 2016, the marine economy in Qingdao exceeded 250 billion yuan, and marine GDP accounted for more than a quarter of the city's GDP. Li said, at present, Qingdao's marine science and technology and marine economy have shown splendid potential, as well as vigorous development trends.