New facilities to aid S. China Sea studies

Construction of a new base to support China's archaeological studies in the South China Sea began in Qionghai, Hainan province, on Tuesday.

Hu Bing, deputy director of the National Cultural Heritage Administration, said the base is planned as a complex of facilities for research, underwater excavation and conservation of historical heritage in the South China Sea. It will also be used to promote relevant international exchanges.

The facilities will include a scientific research institute for maritime cultural heritage, a conservation workshop for salvaged shipwrecks and a training center for archaeologists.