Jiaolong research team starts work

China's manned submersible, the Jiaolong, aboard its support ship Xiang-yang-hong-9, has arrived at its first operational area in the South China Sea.

The ship arrived at the operational area after three days sailing only to find the sea conditions unsuitable for diving. The area is experiencing rain, wind, and high waves. Despite that, the scientific research team has already started its work. Data about sea conductivity, temperature, depth have been obtained. Subsurface buoys have been laid for position tracking.

Scientists also collected samples from the sea, including sea water, sediments and suspended substances. All this work will form the basis for Jiaolong's diving and scientific research.

Jiaolong's launch time will be decided at a later time based on the sea conditions. Jiaolong left a port in East China's Jiangsu province on Monday for a deep-sea mission. It will conduct scientific research and explore the seabed in the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.