- In November 1987, the Underwater Archaeological Research Office of the National Museum of Chinese History, one of the two major components of today's National Museum of China, was set up, the first of its kind in China.

- In 1990, Chinese underwater archaeologists, together with foreign colleagues, carried out underwater explorations and excavations in the area near southeast China's Fujian Province, the country's first underwater operation of this type.

- In 1991-1997, Chinese archaeologists completed five explorations for and excavations of sunken ancient ships of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in the water area near northeast China's Liaoning Province. This was the first underwater archaeological work done by China alone. The report on these archaeological activities was published in 2001, China's first formal underwater archaeological report.

- In 2007, Nanhai 1, an ancient sunken ship of the Song Dynasty (960-1279) found in the South China Sea, was salvaged completely, showcasing the preeminent place China's underwater salvage protection ideas and technologies occupy in the world.

- In May 2009, the Baiheliang Underwater Museum was opened in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, showing China has attached increasing importance to the protection of underwater cultural relic sites.

- In 2010, the salvage of Nan'ao 1 was carried out, which will provide more information and materials to Chinese archaeologists concerning ancient ships.

(Source: People's Daily)