Money, it seems, is no longer an obstacle for mainland scientists carrying out research.
So much so that one project under way at the China Ship Scientific Research Centre as been described as bu cha qian, a popular phrase meaning 'money is not a problem'.
That project is to build a submarine capable of working on the seabed in some of the deepest parts of the ocean, says Zhao Junhai , a senior engineer at the centre.
'We are testing the submarine. It will leave the dock later this year or early next year. Our researchers will then be able to explore ocean depths that the Americans and Japanese are currently unable to reach - at 7,000 metres,' Professor Zhao said. 'Until then we are not a real sea power.'
China has made rapid advances in the field of ocean science and technology in recent years, narrowing the gap between the country and the traditional seafaring nations. Researchers are no longer satisfied with trailing behind other countries - they want to take the lead.
The submarine being built by the research centre has an inner titanium shell, and an exterior shell made of a special plastic.
Professor Zhao's job was to develop the outer shell for the submarine. He had some tough requirements: it had to be able to withstand pressures of 700kg per each square centimetre and not lose its shape, it could not be thicker than 5 millimetres, and had to be light enough for an adult to be able to easily lift it with one hand.