Xinhua Insight: China starts construction of 1st polar research icebreaker

The first piece of steel of China's first domestic-built polar research vessel and icebreaker is being cut in Shanghai, east China, Dec. 20, 2016. Construction of China's first domestic-built polar research vessel and icebreaker began Tuesday in Shanghai, giving a boost to the nation's polar expedition efforts, according to the Polar Research Institute of China. The new vessel will be 122.5 meters long and 22.3 meters wide, with a displacement of 13,990 tonnes and a navigation capability of 20,000 nautical miles. It is being built by Jiangnan Shipyard (Group). (Xinhua)