Beijing, 20 August 2024 (TDI): China’s deep-sea manned submersible Jiaolong conducted a deep-diving operation in Western Pacific Ocean, with foreign scientists involved for the first time.
Experts said the move indicated a new phase in deep-diving scientific research by China as well as its inclusive global mind-set.
A scientific expedition team on board research vessel Shenhai Yihao arrived at the first operation site in the Western Pacific Ocean on Saturday around 10 pm local time.
Chief scientist of the mission Xu Xuewei, along with crew members Qi Haibin and Zhang Yi, completed the first dive at 11:00 am on Sunday Beijing time, signifying the successful completion of the Jiaolong’s 300th dive.
According to Xu, the team will conduct its mission in the Magellan Seamounts in the Western Pacific Ocean, which is considered as a priority area for future deep-sea biodiversity conservation.
It is a major accomplishment to complete deep-diving operations in the Western Pacific Ocean given the sea conditions there, Yu Xingguang, a research fellow at the Third Institute of Oceanography of Ministry of Natural Resources said.
This proves that Beijing’s deep-diving scientific research has ushered into a new phase, he added.
Jiaolong is scheduled to make eighteen dives to collect deep-sea organisms, sediments and seawater, so as to deepen the understanding of the unique ecosystems and environments of seamounts.
Yu said that Jiaolong enjoys favorable capabilities, combined with its vast experience in deep-sea exploration. Jiaolong’s importance, therefore, lies in its potential to contribute to the protection of biodiversity and marine ecosystems.
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Tang Dongmei, a senior official of the Ministry of Natural Resources, said that the China-led Digital Deep-sea Typical Habitats Program had gained the backing and participation of 39 nations.
As the first global voyage under the program, the expedition also involves scientists from Spain, Colombia, Canada, and other countries and regions.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
