Editor's Note:
China National Maritime Day is observed on July 11 every year since 2005. That year marked the 600th anniversary of the ocean voyages of Zheng He, a famous navigator during the Ming Dynasty, who went on seven voyages to exhibit China's might to the world and help establish the ancient maritime Silk Road. To celebrate China National Maritime Day, here’s a look at the different roles and missions of modern Chinese ships. (Photos: VCG/Xinhua/GT)
The Beihaijiu 101, an ocean rescue boat, prepares to begin its sea training in Yantai, East China’s Shandong Province, on September 8, 2015. Photo: VCG 
The MSC PALAK, a large container ship began service in Zhoushan, East China’s Zhejiang Province, on May 30, 2016. The ship builders took a commemorative photo in front of the ship. Photo: VCG 
Chinese research ship Xiangyanghong 10 is preparing to set sail from Changzhi Island pier in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang Province, for China's 49th ocean expedition on December 6, 2017. The ship left Zhoushan carrying more than 200 personnel for a 250-day trip that covered more than 25,000 nautical miles as it explored polymetallic sulphide deposits in the southwest and northwest parts of the Indian Ocean. Photo: Xinhua 
The 400,000-ton ultra-large ore carrier Ore Tianjin, produced by Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co. Ltd., is anchored in Qingdao, East China’s Shandong Province, on March 22, 2018. The ship transports iron ore between Brazil and China. Photo: VCG 
The 400,000-ton ultra-large ore carrier named Ore Shenzhen conducts its first voyage from the port of Taicang, East China’s Jiangsu Province, to Shanghai Baoshan on May 30, 2018. Photo: VCG 
The 8,000KW full-electric propulsion rescue tugboat Dezhao is officially listed with the Yantai Salvage Bureau in East China’s Shandong Province on March 22, 2018. Photo: VCG 
The deepwater salvage crane ship Dehe, which has the largest lifting capacity in China, conducts its first sea trial in Yantai, East China’s Shandong Province, on July 28, 2017. Photo: VCG 
Tiankun, Asia's largest dredger, prepares for its first sea trial in Qidong, East China's Jiangsu Province, on June 8, 2018. Tiankun is China's first domestically designed and manufactured dredger, which is able to blast through seabed rock and suck up sand from ports, coastal waters or the deep sea. Photo: Zhao Yusha/GT 
Chinese research vessel Kexue is prepared to set off for its scientific expedition to the west Pacific from the Chiwan Port in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, on August 7, 2017. Photo: Xinhua 
The Oriental Pearl, a luxury passenger liner, is berthed in Lianyungang, East China’s Jiangsu Province, waiting for passengers so as to set sail on December 28, 2016. Photo: VCG 
A large passenger ship, named Harmony Yungang, is anchored at the Lianyungang Port in Lianyungang, East China's Jiangsu Province, on December 18, 2017. It can accommodate 1,080 passengers during its voyage from Lianyungang to Incheon, South Korean. Photo: Xinhua
