How to assess China's medium unmanned surface vessel

What should we make of China's new trimaran unmanned surface vessel?

It appears to be an optionally crewed technology demonstrator at the smaller end of the medium USV category, with comparable experimentation already under way elsewhere.

China's new trimaran looks like an optionally crewed patrol boat used to test technology. By American size categories, it falls toward the smaller end of a medium unmanned surface vessel. American test vessels had already taken part in exercises and weapons experiments, so the Chinese craft did not establish an unmatched lead by itself. Its hull also suggests an opportunity to investigate trimaran characteristics resembling the Independence-class concept.