Chinese research vessel Kexue, or "Science", leaves Qingdao Monday morning to west Pacific for the upgrading of the country's first global real-time ocean observation network. Carrying about 77 researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Oceanology, Ocean University of China and other institutes, Kexue will carry out comprehensive and multidisciplinary research including geology, hydrography, chemistry and biodiversity. It is expected to return in Feb 2019. [Photo/VCG]

Chinese research vessel Kexue, or "Science", leaves a port in Qingdao, Shandong province, Nov 19, 2018. [Photo/VCG]