Westlake University, a new research-oriented private university, started construction Wednesday of its main campus in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou.

With an investment of over 4.6 billion yuan ($686 million), the first phase of the construction covers almost one square kilometer and is expected to be completed by the end of 2021, said Ji Qingke, vice president of Westlake University.

A total of 36 buildings will be built on the campus, including two large research buildings that occupy half of the total construction area, Ji said.

"We are striving to promote the development of cutting-edge technologies and contribute to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the civilization of humankind," said Shi Yigong, president of the university.

Currently, the university has recruited 85 world-class scientists and enrolled 139 doctoral students.

Founded in October last year, the university is China's first modern private research-oriented university with aspirations to become one of the world's top research institutes. It will focus on basic research in natural and medical sciences, and in technology.

The establishment of Westlake University was first proposed by Shi, a structural biologist and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and six other scientists in 2015.