China to build another polar ship after Xuelong

The icebreaker Xuelong sails in the sea east to eastern China's Zhejiang province on Nov 8, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Bidding for the construction of China's second polar research ship will start by the end of April and the new vessel will boast stronger icebreaking capabilities, said a senior official with one of the country's largest shipbuilders.

The ship's estimated budget will be more than 1 billion yuan ($153.5 million) and the construction is expected to take about two years, said Hu Keyi, technical director of Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co Ltd.

Hu, also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the CPPCC on Wednesday.

The new ship is expected to provide huge support to China's scientific expeditions to the polar regions.