QINGDAO, Shandong, April 16 -- China's first national-level lab for marine science and technology opened on Thursday in the coastal city of Qingdao in the eastern province of Shandong, provincial authorities said.

Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology was approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology in early 2014 and jointly built by the provincial government of Shandong and the government of Qingdao City.

Scientists from 11 marine-related organizations, including Ocean University of China and the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, will participate in the lab's research.

According to Chen Yiyu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and head of the laboratory, the lab is expected to become one of the world's seven largest marine science research centers within 10 years.

With a total investment of 1.3 billion yuan (200 million U.S. dollars), the laboratory covers an area of 150,000 square meters and has eight main labs covering the research areas of marine and climate change, evolution and protection of marine environments, and sustainable use of marine biological resources.

According to Chen Lianzeng, deputy head of the State Oceanic Administration, the laboratory will focus on cutting-edge marine science research and is expected to boost international cooperation and scientific achievements to benefit marine-related industries.