Chinese submersible Jiaolong completes 20th dive in Mariana Trench

China's manned submersible "Jiaolong" surfaces after its dive in the Mariana Trench, June 1, 2017. Jiaolong Thursday conducted its 20th dive in the Mariana Trench, the world's deepest-known trench, since 2012. (Xinhua/Liu Shiping)

ON BOARD SHIP XIANGYANGHONG 09, June 1 -- China's manned submersible "Jiaolong" Thursday conducted its 20th dive in the Mariana Trench, the world's deepest-known trench, since 2012.

The dive began at 4:43 p.m. local time, with three crew onboard working underwater for half an hour.

During the mission, the crew studied deep-sea biotic communities and distribution of species in the trench. They also brought back sea water samples.

Observations and sampling were carried out along the sedimentary area and rock-fracture zone of the trench.

Jiaolong has completed the highest number of dives in the trench by a manned submersible, and has reached a depth over 6,500 meters on 12 dives.

This mission is the third and final stage of China's 38th oceanic scientific expedition.

"It provides us with the first-hand data and samples for the country's research in deep-sea science," said Wu Changbin, commander of the expedition's third stage.