China praises submarine crew's emergency handling   

海军372潜艇官兵先进事迹报告会举行 习近平作指示

中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席习近平日前作出重要指示，对海军372潜艇官兵群体先进事迹给予充分肯定。根据这一重要指示精神，中宣部、总政治部、共青团中央24日在人民大会堂联合举行海军372潜艇官兵群体先进事迹报告会。[查看全文]

The Chinese military was urged to learn from the crew of a submarine, after they successfully handled a major underwater emergency in mission.

Following an instruction by President Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), a seminar was held on Wednesday to promote the experience of the crew of People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy submarine 372.

According to a document issued at the seminar, the crew of 372 encountered a "major dangerous circumstance underwater" and "successfully solved the situation, overcome multiple difficulties and fulfilled their mission."

Senior navy officers and representatives of the crew and their families gave reports at the seminar attended by about 800 people from universities and military units in Beijing. Leaders of the PLA's four headquarters, the PLA Navy, the Communist Youth League Central Committee and the CMC general office attended the event.

During a speech at the seminar, Fan Changlong, deputy chairman of the CMC, called on soldiers and officers to learn the spirit of 372 and firmly follow the instructions of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the CMC and Xi.

Fan also urged the military to enhance training, promote military preparedness, and improve the soldiers' proficiency with arms, especially high-tech weapons.

Submarine 372 experienced a sudden plunge at a "underwater cliff" with its main cabin flooded during the mission. The crew resolved the situation within three minutes, according to reports at the seminar.