China makes new progress in deep-sea exploration

China made new progress in deep-sea exploration and marine resource development technology in the first half of this year, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

In June, China unveiled a deep-sea testing site in Hainan Province, which features an integrated service platform encompassing research and development, testing verification, industrial incubation and certification evaluation.

In the same month, the second phase of the country's flagship gas field in the South China Sea went into full operation, marking the completion of the country's largest offshore natural gas development to date.

The progress brings the gas field, named Shenhai Yihao or Deep Sea No. 1, to its designed production capacity of 4.5 billion cubic meters annually, the largest offshore oil and gas producer in China.

Earlier in March, China's Sea Guru II, a manta ray-inspired robot, completed a landmark 2,000-meter deep-sea trial in the South China Sea.

Collaborating with the deep-sea submersible Jiaolong in the exploration, the 3-meter-long, 1.5-meter-tall robot performed complex movements and operations near the seafloor in less than two hours.

Officials of the Ministry of Natural Resources said more efforts will be made to support the country's marine sci-tech innovation and sustainable development.

"We will deepen scientific and technological innovation, optimize industrial layout, stimulate market vitality, and promote new breakthroughs in the marine economy through effective improvement in quality and rational growth in quantity so as to provide solid support for building a strong maritime country," said Meng Qinglei, deputy director of the Marine Strategic Planning and Economics Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources.

China makes new progress in deep-sea exploration

China makes new progress in deep-sea exploration

China's commissioning of "five essentials for aircraft carriers" marks a a significant achievement of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s accelerated transformation and development, said Jiang Bin, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, at a press conference in Beijing on Saturday.

The "five essentials" refer to stealth carrier-based fighters, multirole catapult-assisted carrier-based fighters, fixed-wing carrier-based early warning aircraft, fixed-wing electronic warfare aircraft, and anti-submarine helicopters.

"The package, or what media have dubbed the 'five essentials for aircraft carriers,' is a vital link in forming the systematic combat capability of aircraft carrier formations and a significant achievement in the PLA Navy’s accelerated transformation and development. Building a strong PLA Navy embodies the Chinese nation's long-cherished aspiration of striving to be a strong naval power and serves as an important guarantee for realizing national rejuvenation. In the new era, under the firm leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the Central Military Commission and President Xi, the modernization of the PLA Navy has become increasingly solid and powerful. From the air to the sea, from coastal waters to the open ocean, the types and functions of various weapons platforms have been continuously improved, achieving leapfrog development and innovative breakthroughs, providing stronger guarantees for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests," he said.

Spokesman confirms commissioning of 'five essentials' for carriers