In a significant milestone for deep-sea exploration, China's manned submersible Jiaolong has successfully completed its 300th dive since its inaugural mission in August 2009. This achievement underscores China's commitment to advancing our understanding of the ocean's most mysterious depths.
The recent dive, conducted by a dedicated crew of one scientist and two submariners, took place in the Western Pacific Ocean. It marked the first of 18 planned dives in an ongoing scientific expedition aimed at collecting deep-sea organisms, seawater, and sediment. These samples will help scientists study the unique ecosystems and environments of seamounts, shedding light on biodiversity and geological processes.
Carried by China's Deep Sea No. 1 research vessel, the Jiaolong is part of an international team that includes scientists from Canada, Spain, and Colombia. Departing from Qingdao in Shandong Province on August 10, the 45-day expedition is a collaborative effort organized by the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association under the Ministry of Natural Resources and implemented by the National Deep Sea Center.
Jiaolong stands out as China's first independently designed and integrated 7,000-meter-class manned submersible. Since its debut in 2009, it has ventured into the depths of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, completing an impressive 900 trips. Notably, in June 2012, Jiaolong set a diving record by reaching 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench, one of the deepest parts of the world's oceans.
As Jiaolong continues its mission, it not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also inspires a new generation of young global citizens, business and tech enthusiasts, thought leaders, and explorers eager to delve into the wonders of our planet's oceans.
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China's Jiaolong manned deep-sea submersible completes 300th dive
cgtn.com
