China has completed a 537-day deep-sea material corrosion test, setting a new global record for the longest such experiment, said the China State Shipbuilding Corporation Limited (CSSC) on Saturday.
After more than a year and a half of exposure at a depth of 11,000 meters, retrieved deep-sea samples show varying coating performance, offering valuable data for future long-term marine material design.
"This is a sample we retrieved after conducting tests for 537 days at a depth of 11,000 meters on the seabed. These are all coating-protection experiments. Based on the current condition of this sample, we can see that many materials have very poor corrosion resistance in the deep sea. A lot of the coatings have already started to peel off, while some others still remain intact. We'll conduct further in-depth analysis in the lab to draw more definitive conclusions," said Sun Mingxian, deputy chief engineer and researcher of the CSSC's 725 Research Institute.
The test was designed to evaluate the long-term corrosion resistance of materials and coatings in the 10,000-meter deep-sea environment.
"These authentic deep-sea data allow for more precise design in terms of corrosion allowance. They provide accurate guidance for coating formulations while enabling improvements to cathodic protection parameters, directly boosting the reliability and safety of equipment," said Liao Zhiqian, deputy head of the 725 Institute.
China's 11,000-meter deep-sea corrosion test sets new global record for duration
China's box office revenues, including ticket pre-sales, have surpassed 29 billion yuan (4.2 billion U.S. dollars) for 2026, with 737 million admissions and 106 million screenings recorded so far this year.
A dazzling lineup of summer hits have broken multiple records and drawn audiences back to theaters, with the three-month summer movie season from June to August recording an all-time high revenue of 12.498 billion yuan, up 4.45 percent from the 11.96 billion yuan in the previous summer.
Among this year's top performers is "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East." Set in a war-torn Middle Eastern city, the film follows a Chinese cook who travels abroad in search of a better life, weaving anti-war themes into a culinary story with a cross-cultural commentary.
Hong Kong director Stephen Chow's sports comedy Kung Fu Soccer about a team of female footballers has so far grossed over 2.33 billion yuan at the box office.
"Dear You," a Chaoshan (Teochew)-dialect film, tells a moving story of homesickness and family ties among overseas Chinese in Southeast Asia. Its global box office has now surpassed 2.1 billion yuan.
"All Wishes Come True," which draws inspiration from the classic Chinese folk tale "The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea", has been released across North America, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Europe, and has topped the charts among Chinese-language films in several countries.
In addition to its box office success, the film has also driven tourists to the real-world landscapes that inspired it.
Penglai in Yantai City, east China's Shandong Province has long been associated with the "Eight Immortals" legend.
At the heart of the destination is Penglai Pavilion, a historic complex overlooking the Yellow Sea.
Visitors can explore "Eight Immortals"-themed products, ride a panoramic cable car or take a speedboat across the sea.
Nearly 20 scenic spots and commercial areas are offering special deals to moviegoers, with some promotions running through September 30.
"Penglai is a very famous place. After watching 'All Wishes Come True,' I wanted to bring my child here. It really feels like stepping into the story," said one visitor.
China's 2026 box office revenues hit 29 billion yuan
