China plans to build more "intelligent and competitive" scientific research vessels to meet the growing global ocean exploration demand, according to the Oceanic Scientific Research Vessel Technology Summit 2017 held in Shanghai on Friday.

At present, around 10 marine research vessels have been under design or construction, which are tasked to carry researchers to the North and South Poles. The first domestically built polar research vessel and icebreaker, Xuelong 2,  is expected to be put into use in 2019, according to Huang Wei, a chief engineer at the China State Shipbuilding Corporation's (CSSC) No.708 Research Institute. The upcoming vessel will be able to break polar ice with both its bow and stern.

In the area of automation and intelligence, China aims to allow scientists to control the mission from remote intelligent capsules, which could match US counterparts' standards, said Wu Lixin, vice principal of the Ocean University of China. 

Besides, ships of the future will have professional research teams on board to save scientists from doing the physical labor, Wu added.

Wu pointed out that current Chinese research vessels indeed need updates, as the West Pacific, a critical area for Chinese scientific research, has been suffering from stronger typhoons.

The Xuelong 2, China's first domestically-built polar research vessel, is a good exemplar of China's future plans, said experts. With a length of 122.5 meters and a displacement of 13,990 tonnes, Xuelong 2 has a navigational capability of 20,000 nautical miles. Coming with an intelligent capsule, the vessel could allow scientists to conduct a thorough examination in the ocean at any moment.

China has the largest number of new oceanic research vessels in the world. There are now about 50 vessels qualified for oceanic survey and deep-sea scientific research in the world, according to Qu Tanzhou, head of science and technology department under the State Oceanic Administration. 

However, not only the quantity but also the performance of Chinese research vessels are still far from adequate in terms of global marine research and international cooperation, noted Qu.‍