China's 'Explorer 2' research ship ends missions in South China Sea

China's scientific research vessel Explorer 2, carrying the 4,500-meter manned submersible Shenhai Yongshi (Deep-sea Warrior), returned to Sanya in south China's Hainan Province on Sunday, after completing its latest missions over the past 10 days.

Since setting off from Sanya on September 16, the ship with 60 scientific research staff aboard has completed in-situ observation of the deep-sea geological features and sea trial tasks of domestic equipment in the South China Sea.

With the 4,500-meter manned submersible Shenhai Yongshi, the team has completed in-situ observation of the areas surrounding the Shenhai-1, China's first self-run deep-sea gas field located 150 kilometers from Hainan island, including its underwater mooring system and underwater production system, and obtained important data.

Meanwhile, the researchers conducted functional tests on self-developed scientific research devices carried by Shenhai Yongshi, including a sampler for deep-sea sediments and deep-sea three-dimensional sensing equipment.