China's manned deep-sea submersible, Jiaolong, will attempt a record dive of 7,000 meters below sea level in June.
Its mothership has already set off for the mission. If the attempt is successful, it means China will have the technology to navigate 99.8 percent
of the earth's seabeds. Experts say utilizing marine resources is vital for China's long-term sustainable development.
And what's the purpose?
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, allocates several zones of the high seas to China for resource management. Those geographical zones
contain ores and resources that can't be found on land. But most of these resources are located at depths as low as 6,000 meters, some as low
as 10,000 meters. China needs the technology to utilize these resources, because energy is the key to the country's industrialization.
For 5,000 years, China predominantly focused on land-based resource management. Now research will also turn to sea exploration. The country
has turned oceanic high-tech innovation into an emerging strategic industry.
Liu Cigui, director of State Oceanic Administration says, "The ability to develop oceanic-resource management is directly linked to the country's
competitveness in a marine economy era."
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LNmIBVs6JDY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Its mothership has already set off for the mission. If the attempt is successful, it means China will have the technology to navigate 99.8 percent
of the earth's seabeds. Experts say utilizing marine resources is vital for China's long-term sustainable development.
And what's the purpose?
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, allocates several zones of the high seas to China for resource management. Those geographical zones
contain ores and resources that can't be found on land. But most of these resources are located at depths as low as 6,000 meters, some as low
as 10,000 meters. China needs the technology to utilize these resources, because energy is the key to the country's industrialization.
For 5,000 years, China predominantly focused on land-based resource management. Now research will also turn to sea exploration. The country
has turned oceanic high-tech innovation into an emerging strategic industry.
Liu Cigui, director of State Oceanic Administration says, "The ability to develop oceanic-resource management is directly linked to the country's
competitveness in a marine economy era."
<iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LNmIBVs6JDY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
