Nation commissions first ocean-class research ship

China's first research vessel to be designated as ocean class, called Tongji, was commissioned in Shanghai on Sunday, according to China State Shipbuilding Corp, a State-owned conglomerate and the project's contractor.

The highly intelligent ship was designed by China Ship Development and Design Center in Wuhan, Hubei province, and was constructed by Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding Co in Guangzhou, Guangdong province.

Both the institute and the shipyard are part of CSSC, the world's largest shipbuilder.