China's top 10 sci-tech triumphs in 2020
2020 saw Chinese teams visit the world's deepest ocean and bring back samples from the moon. Let's take a look at the country's top 10 sci-tech achievements during the year.
# China's manned submersible Fendouzhe sets record in Mariana Trench
China's new deep-sea manned submersible "Fendouzhe" (meaning "striver" in Chinese), descended 10,909 meters into the Mariana Trench on Nov. 10 and returned to south China's Hainan province on Nov. 28, setting a new national deep-sea diving record.
A joint operation of the manned submersible and its deep-sea lander was carried out at a depth of 10,000 meters on Nov. 13. The operation, the first of its kind in the world, was also livestreamed.
In order to achieve the goal of deep-sea exploration, multiple breakthroughs have been achieved in the process of developing Fendouzhe, including in such fields as anti-water pressure structure, titanium alloy manufacturing, welding techniques, buoyancy materials and lithium batteries.
The record-setting dive signals a significant step forward by China in manned deep-sea exploration technology and equipment as well as its improvement of independent innovation, which will further the country's efforts in unveiling deep-sea mysteries and protecting marine resources.
