China's Deep Sea No. 1 vessel embarks on expedition to Western Pacific

Shenhai Yihao research vessel, carrying China's Jiaolong deep-sea manned submersible, departs from Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, August 11, 2024. /CFP

Research vessel Shenhai Yihao, or Deep Sea No. 1, carrying China's manned submersible Jiaolong, departed from Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province, on Sunday, as part of the 2024 Western Pacific International Voyage. The vessel will conduct a 45-day scientific mission in the Western Pacific Ocean.

Jiaolong is scheduled to make 18 dives to collect deep-sea organisms, seawater, and sediments, to deepen the understanding of seamounts' unique ecosystems and environments.

Tang Dongmei, a senior official of the Ministry of Natural Resources, said at the launch ceremony that the China-led Digital Deep-sea Typical Habitats Program had gained the support and participation of 39 countries.

As the first international voyage under the program, the expedition involves scientists from Canada, Spain, Colombia, and other countries and regions.