Test base for unmanned surface vessels to be operational this year

China's first research and testing base for unmanned surface vessels will be put into operation by the end of this year, becoming a public technology service platform for marine equipment between Guangdong province and the neighboring Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.

The base, in the shape of double ships, is located in Zhuhai, a coastal city in western Guangdong. It will cover a construction area of 54,000 square meters, and the investment will reach up to 380 million yuan ($53.3 million).

Construction of the base, called the Xiangshan Marine Technology Harbor, began over two years ago and was finished in early September this year.