Chinese scientists began geological and biological surveys in the South China Sea

Almaty. April 26. Silkroadnews – The research vessel Xiangyanghong 09 with a manned submersible “Jiaolong” and Chinese scientists on board arrived in the designated zone of the South China Sea on Tuesday morning to conduct the second stage of scientific research within the 38th Chinese oceanic expedition, the newspaper “People’s Daily” reported.

“The submersible is expected to conduct its first South China Sea dive this year on Wednesday if the weather conditions allow”, the agency quoted the general commander of the second stage of the expedition Wu Changbin saying.

At the second stage of the expedition, which will last until May 13, the Chinese scientists will have to choose a site for an experiment to collect polymetallic nodules and conduct marine geological and biological studies.

The 38th Chinese Oceanic Expedition started on February 6, 2017, and will include three stages. The first stage provided for scientific surveys conducted in the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean, the second is planned to be conducted in the South China Sea, and the third - in the Yap Trench and the Mariana Trench.