China begins deep-sea probe in South China Sea

China's manned submersible Jiaolong begins its first South China Sea dive this year on April 26, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 38th oceanic scientific expedition started on Feb. 6. Jiaolong completed a dive in the northwestern Indian Ocean earlier this year in the mission's first stage. It will also conduct surveys in the Yap Trench and the Mariana Trench in the third stage.

Named after a mythical dragon, Jiaolong reached its deepest depth of 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench in June 2012.