Beijing, July 31 (IANS) China has successfully tested its manned submarine in the Pacific Ocean, a government statement said.
Saturday’s mission – the last of four test dives that began July 21 – was a complete success. The submarine took samples, tested its underwater acoustic communication set, and shot photos, China Daily reported citing a statement from the State Oceanic Administration.
Ye Cong, Liu Kaizhou and Fu Wentao were the three-man crew that went under water.
The statement, however, did not elaborate how deep the vessel went.
In its previous three dives, Jiaolong, the manned submarine, reached a depth of 5,188 metres. Jiaolong, named after a mythical sea dragon, is designed to reach a depth of up to 7,000 metres.
China has become the fifth country to send a man 3,500 metres below sea level, after the US, France, Russia and Japan.
