A keel laying ceremony of China's second domestically-produced large cruise ship was held on Saturday morning in Shanghai, marking the onset of the vessel's hull structure assembly and another achievement of China's shipbuilding prowess, according to official sources.

Chen Gang, general manager of the vessel's builder China State Shipbuilding Corporation's (CSSC) Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co Ltd called the ceremony a milestone in China's cruise industry development.

"In comparison with the first one, the second homegrown cruise ship was built more efficiently in terms of design and construction, with higher quality and standards," said Chen.