China prepares to operate test base for unmanned ships

ANKARA

With an aim to boost maritime economy, China is set to enable 32 square kilometers (12.3 square miles) test base operational for unmanned ships by the end of 2019, local media reported on Monday.

The test base -- Xiangshan Marine Scientific & Technological Port -- is located in Zhuhai, Guangdong province in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Great Bay Area, state-run Xinhua news reported.

It will include laboratories, test pools, a docking berth and sea trial area to “create an innovation platform for the design, research and testing of unmanned marine systems and intelligent equipment,” the report said.

“The base will help develop the industrial chain of unmanned ships and foster research on advanced equipment manufacturing as well as new generation of information technology,” it also said.