Research ship leaves on scientific mission

Research vessel Dayang Yihao, or Ocean No 1, departed its home port in Qingdao, Shandong province, on Tuesday and embarked on a 100-day scientific ocean expedition.

The research vessel will head for areas of seamounts - underwater mountains - in the western Pacific Ocean to investigate resources and the environment. Eighty-seven scientists and technicians from domestic universities and research institutions and 30 crew members are aboard.

"The area is full of mineral resources, such as cobalt-rich crusts and manganese nodules. It's a hot spot for international seabed expeditions," said Li Bo, an official with the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Natural Resources.