Liu Feng knows a thing or two about deep conversations – although less the Hegel and Kant variety, and more the deep sea type. Liu commands the Jiaolong, China’s state-of-the-art submersible which this week returned to port in Qingdao.
The sub reached its lowest-ever depth on its most recent mission, descending 7,062 metres into the Mariana Trench. China’s media claims that the country is now able to explore 99.8% of the ocean floor, although its neighbours will be less enthusiastic given recent tensions over the South China Sea (see page 7).
To the Chinese, however, Jiaolong’s historic dive represents another example of the country’s rising technological prowess. The Jiaolong has now reached a greater depth than either Japan’s Shinkai 6500 or America’s Alvin submersibles. But it still doesn’t hold the record. That achievement remains with Titanic film director James Cameron, who took a sub to a depth of 10,898 metres earlier this year.
© ChinTell Ltd. All rights reserved.
Sponsored by HSBC.
The Week in China website and the weekly magazine publications are owned
and maintained by ChinTell Limited, Hong Kong. Neither HSBC nor any member of the HSBC group of companies ("HSBC") endorses the contents and/or is
involved in selecting, creating or editing the contents of the Week in China website or the Week in China magazine. The views expressed in these
publications are solely the views of ChinTell Limited and do not necessarily reflect the views or investment ideas of HSBC. No responsibility will
therefore be assumed by HSBC for the contents of these publications or for the errors or omissions therein.
Download Apps