Three dives planned for deep-sea submersible

Xiangyanghong No 9, the mother ship of China's manned deep-sea research submersible, will begin a 113-day voyage on Monday with three dives planned in the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean, a report said on Wednesday.

The Qilu Evening News said the first part of the mission will last about 43 days in the South China Sea, where the Jiaolong submersible will test its equipment and carry out scientific research to study the formation and development of the South China Sea and its influence on China's climate.

The ship will then sail to two areas in the Pacific Ocean, where Jiaolong will complete a geological survey, collecting biological and mineral samples.

In June last year, Jiaolong reached a record depth of 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific.