The “Smart South China Sea” scientific expedition, led by the Advanced Institute for Ocean Research at Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTECH)/Shenzhen Ocean University Preparatory Office, recently set sail. On January 11, Hong JIANG, University Council Chairperson of SUSTech, boarded the research vessel “Xiangyanghong 10” to inspect the “Smart South China Sea” expedition and conduct on-site research on the development of intelligent ocean technology.

Professor Jian LIN, Director of the Advanced Institute for Ocean Research at SUSTech, Head of the Shenzhen Ocean University Preparatory Office, served as the chief scientist of the expedition. Siqi CHEN, Secretary-General of SUSTech, Executive Vice President of the Advanced Institute for Ocean Research; Academician Bi ZHANG, Chair Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering; Academician Qiang XU, Chair Professor of the Department of Chemistry; Zhimei HE, Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Dapeng New District; and Representative of the Shenzhen Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Bureau attended the expedition.

The “Smart South China Sea” scientific expedition departure.

 Seminar

Hong JIANG listened to Professor LIN’s report on the development of cutting-edge smart ocean technology and the progress of the integrated construction of the “Shenzhen Ocean University–Deep Ocean Research Center–Ocean Museum.”

Hong JIANG pointed out that the ocean is a new domain for national strategic development, and developing intelligent ocean technology is key to winning the future. We must unwaveringly follow the path of independent innovation, focus our efforts on breaking through key core technologies, and achieve high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and strength, thereby contributing substantial power to accelerating the construction of a strong ocean nation, building a “New Ocean Guangdong,” and making Shenzhen a global ocean city.

Hong JIANG observes drone operations on site.

Hong JIANG went deep into the deck operation site to observe firsthand experiments of intelligent marine equipment, including coordinated array drone monitoring, cross-domain drone and underwater robot detection, and highly praised the innovative spirit and many achievements demonstrated by the team of scientists and engineers.

Research Vessel “Xiangyanghong 10”

It is reported that the “Xiangyanghong 10” is a distinguished Chinese oceanographic research vessel, which completed China’s first Antarctic expedition in 1984. In 2025, led by the Advanced Institute for Ocean Research at SUSTech and in collaboration with multiple research institutions nationwide, the “Xiangyanghong 10” successfully conducted a coordinated tri-domain unmanned cluster scientific expedition at sea. Currently, the vessel is carrying out the “Deep Blue Voyager 2035,” a ten-year global scientific expedition project, jointly initiated by the Advanced Institute for Ocean Research at SUSTech and Shenzhen Ocean University Preparatory Office, among other organizations.

This event is one of the “Chairperson Visits the Grassroots” series of research activities. Since the launch of the activities in 2023, Secretary Hong JIANG has continuously led teams to visit multiple faculties and departments at SUSTech and has met with and extended greetings to representatives of the university’s high-level talents.