Chinese Submersible Starts Mission in Pacific Ocean

Beijing, Jul 2. -The "Jiaolong", China''s manned deep-sea submersible vessel, has been put to sea to attempt a 5,000-meter dive in the Pacific Ocean.

During 47 days of exploration, the submersible will undergo several operational tests that include taking photos, shooting video, surveying sea beds and taking samples from the ocean floor, according to Jin Jiancai, deputy director of the submersible's diving test program team.

Jin also stressed that the test would be carried out in line with the provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as well as International Seabed Authority (ISA) rules and regulations, according to news reports.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and Technology issued a press release informing that the tests would be conducted in the Pacific Ocean in accordance with a contract between the China Ocean Mineral Resources Research & Development Association and the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

The Jiaolong, designed to reach a depth of 7,000 meters, reached 3,759 meters in a test with three crew members on board last year.

The submersible made 17 dives in the South China Sea between May 31 and July 18 of 2010. (Prensa Latina)