China's manned deep-sea submersible completes 7,000-meter dive tests

The manned submersible Jiaolong is pictured during its 465th dive operation on Oct. 2, 2026. The dive reached a depth of 7,056.9 meters. China's manned submersible Jiaolong recently completed multiple 7,000-meter dive tests and returned safely, reaching a maximum depth of 7,056.9 meters. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

The manned submersible Jiaolong is pictured during its 465th dive operation on Oct. 2, 2026. The dive reached a depth of 7,056.9 meters. China's manned submersible Jiaolong recently completed multiple 7,000-meter dive tests and returned safely, reaching a maximum depth of 7,056.9 meters. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

A drone photo taken on Sept. 30, 2026 shows China's research vessel Deep Sea No. 1 deploying the manned submersible Jiaolong into the sea before the 464th dive operation. The dive reached a depth of 7,035.3 meters. China's manned submersible Jiaolong recently completed multiple 7,000-meter dive tests and returned safely, reaching a maximum depth of 7,056.9 meters. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

A drone photo taken on Sept. 30, 2026 shows China's research vessel Deep Sea No. 1 deploying the manned submersible Jiaolong into the sea before the 464th dive operation. The dive reached a depth of 7,035.3 meters. China's manned submersible Jiaolong recently completed multiple 7,000-meter dive tests and returned safely, reaching a maximum depth of 7,056.9 meters. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

The manned submersible Jiaolong is pictured after its 465th dive operation on Oct. 2, 2026. The dive reached a depth of 7,056.9 meters. China's manned submersible Jiaolong recently completed multiple 7,000-meter dive tests and returned safely, reaching a maximum depth of 7,056.9 meters. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

The manned submersible Jiaolong is pictured after its 464th dive operation on Sept. 30, 2026. The dive reached a depth of 7,035.3 meters. China's manned submersible Jiaolong recently completed multiple 7,000-meter dive tests and returned safely, reaching a maximum depth of 7,056.9 meters. (Xinhua/Ye Haoming)

Staff members make preparation before the 465th dive operation of the manned submersible Jiaolong on Oct. 2, 2026. The dive reached a depth of 7,056.9 meters. China's manned submersible Jiaolong recently completed multiple 7,000-meter dive tests and returned safely, reaching a maximum depth of 7,056.9 meters. (Xinhua/Ye Haoming)

Staff members pose for a group photo after the manned submersible Jiaolong completed its 465th dive operation on Oct. 2, 2026. The dive reached a depth of 7,056.9 meters. China's manned submersible Jiaolong recently completed multiple 7,000-meter dive tests and returned safely, reaching a maximum depth of 7,056.9 meters. (Xinhua/Ye Haoming)

Submersible pilots Tang Jialing (L), Zhang Yi (C) and maintenance worker Cheng Fei pose for a photo inside the manned submersible Jiaolong before the 464th dive on Sept. 30, 2026. China's manned submersible Jiaolong recently completed multiple 7,000-meter dive tests and returned safely, reaching a maximum depth of 7,056.9 meters. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Researcher Sun Yongfu exits the cabin after the manned submersible Jiaolong completed its 465th dive operation on Oct. 2, 2026. China's manned submersible Jiaolong recently completed multiple 7,000-meter dive tests and returned safely, reaching a maximum depth of 7,056.9 meters. (Xinhua/Ye Haoming)

Submersible pilots Qi Haibin (L), Fu Wentao (C) and researcher Sun Yongfu pose for a photo inside the manned submersible Jiaolong before the 465th dive on Oct. 2, 2026. China's manned submersible Jiaolong recently completed multiple 7,000-meter dive tests and returned safely, reaching a maximum depth of 7,056.9 meters. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

Submersible pilot Zhang Yi (front) celebrates with a water splash after the manned submersible Jiaolong completed its 464th dive operation on Sept. 30, 2026. The dive reached a depth of 7,035.3 meters. China's manned submersible Jiaolong recently completed multiple 7,000-meter dive tests and returned safely, reaching a maximum depth of 7,056.9 meters. (Xinhua/Ye Haoming)

Submersible pilot Qi Haibin (front) celebrates with a water splash after the manned submersible Jiaolong completed its 465th dive operation on Oct. 2, 2026. The dive reached a depth of 7,056.9 meters. China's manned submersible Jiaolong recently completed multiple 7,000-meter dive tests and returned safely, reaching a maximum depth of 7,056.9 meters. (Xinhua/Ye Haoming)