China set to build manned submersible that dives to 10,000m

The Jiaolong submersible. (Photo: Xinhua)

(ECNS) -- China plans to explore the ocean depths with a manned submersible that can dive to 10,000 meters.

Shanghai Ocean University's Abyss Technology Center will draw on public funding to develop the submersible. It could be the world's first abyss submersible and would explore the Mariana Trench in 2019.

The sub, called "Rainbow Fish," will be an upgraded version of Jiaolong which can reach over 7,000 meters in depth, according to Cui Weicheng, the craft's first deputy general designer.

Cui said Rainbow Fish will be more resistant to water pressure and have batteries that last longer. It will take on a new appearance with a slim and long torpedo shape.

The project is estimated to cost 500 million yuan ($80 million).

Building deep-sea submersibles have been an essential project for many countries, including the US, UK and Japan. The deep sea environment is valuable for researches in terms of sea protection, climate change, origins of life, and earthquake early warning.

In June 2012, Jiaolong, with two oceanauts inside, reached a depth of 7,062 meters at the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean.