China's Jiaolong submersible set for Indian Ocean

BEIJING - Jiaolong, China's first manned deep-sea submersible, is scheduled for a voyage in the Indian Ocean at the end of next year, the oceanic authorities said Friday.

The sub will carry out scientific research focusing on polymetallic sulfides in the southwest Indian Ocean, with its carrier, Xiangyanghong 09, set to start sailing in November or December, according to the State Oceanic Administration.

Jiaolong will also conduct research on cobalt-rich crusts in the northwest Pacific Ocean in the middle of next year, the administration said.

Jiaolong reached 7,062 meters in the Pacific's Mariana Trench in a dive in June 2012. During a trial and exploration voyage from June to September this year, Jiaolong explored the South China Sea and the northeast and northwest of the Pacific, accomplishing 21 dives.

Scientists brought back a total of 390 creatures from the seabed representing 71 species, including coral, sea cucumbers and sea anemones, as well as a number of samples including 161 polymetallic nodules, 32 rocks, and 180 kg of sediment.