China to send women into the deep ocean

China will recruit six oceanauts, including two females, as the country continues its exploration of the deep sea, Beijing Daily reported on Friday.

Ye Cong, chief oceanaut and designer of Jiaolong – China's deep-sea research submersible – said two females will most likely be selected from biologists.

The new recruits will receive four-years training before conducting a deep sea dive, said Ye who added that female candidates will be required to have a higher mental capacity than their male counterparts and capable of coping with pressure.

From 2013, Jiaolong will increase its dives from the current several times a year to more than 50 deep-sea dives.