Got water? Think deep. China's three deep-sea manned submersibles—Fendouzhe (Striver), Shenhai Yongshi (Deep Sea Warrior) and Jiaolong—have just smashed through 1,746 dives to date, according to the Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
This year alone (2025), they've clocked 314 dives. Fendouzhe made history with the first manned deep-sea science expedition in the icy Arctic Ocean in 2025 ❄️. Earlier, it joined an international team exploring New Zealand's Puysegur Trench, diving into uncharted territory off the South Island.
Shenhai Yongshi isn't far behind, completing 18 dives in 2025 focused on deep-sea archaeology along the northwest slope of the South China Sea. Working alongside unmanned submersibles, it's uncovering ancient shipwrecks and marine relics—think real-life treasure hunts in our own backyard 🌊🦀.
Why it matters? These submersibles push tech boundaries, from ultra-strong hulls to high-def underwater cameras, offering a window into ecosystems most of us only see in documentaries. For tech buffs and ocean lovers across South and Southeast Asia, this is inspiration central—with potential to inform climate research, marine conservation, and even future ocean-based industries.
With every dive, we get closer to solving ocean puzzles: mapping unknown terrains, discovering new species, and learning how to protect our planet's blue heart. Stay tuned—who knows what the next 1,000 metres holds? 🌏🚀
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China's deep-sea manned submersibles have made over 1700 dives to date
cgtn.com
