Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/regional/2018-07/23/content_36630095.htm

In celebration of the 90th anniversary of its scientific research at Xisha Islands, Guangzhou-based Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU) plans to send two research teams to the South China Sea this year.

A team of 19 teachers and students will conduct scientific research at Xisha Islands between July 20 and Sept 4 and a second team of 31 teachers and students will go to the northern South China Sea from July 28 to Aug 18.

Research will be carried out in such fields as underwater ruins, marine animals and plants, oceanic geology and atmosphere, and island and reef development, said Zhu Tiequan, an associate professor of the university's School of Sociology and Anthropology.

Sun Yat-sen University put forward a comprehensive plan for scientific research in the South China Sea in 2016. It has since organized three voyages to the region.

It is expecting its specially built 6,800-dead-weight-ton scientific research ship to come online in 2020.