China is preparing to launch a new manned submersible to explore resources in the South China Sea. The official Xinhua News Agency said the Shanhai Yongshi, or "deep sea warrior," has passed all performance and safety tests, including a dive of 4,500 meters (about 15,000 feet) last month. "Shenhai Yongsi will be used in the South China Sea and help explore the biological and mineral resources in the deep sea," the official Global Times newspaper quoted Chen Xiangmao, a research fellow at the National Institute for the South China Sea, as saying.

Chinese submersible to explore resources in South China Sea. (2017, November 23). Manila Bulletin, p. B-12.