One by one, new records are being broken – this is precisely the growth path of every major piece of independently developed equipment in China. Following the live camera lens of China Central Television (CCTV), netizens watched the Fendouzhe Submersible carry out its deployment, diving, cruising, seabed landing, operation, ascent and recovery in an orderly manner... The cheers, whether on-site or online, are a tribute to China’s deep-sea explorers, to the success of China’s independent R&D, and to the striving spirit of Chinese scientists.
Looking back at the development history of China’s manned submersibles, the research and development work first began in 1971, and the country’s first manned submersible, the 7103 Lifeboat, was successfully developed in 1986. Since then, China has been taking bigger and bolder strides in the independent R&D of manned submersibles. The Jiaolong, Deep Sea Warrior and Fendouzhe submersibles have been launched one after another, with their maximum diving depth rising from the initial 300 meters to the current 10,909 meters. What has grown steadily is far more than just the diving depth: it also includes the research contributions made to solving major scientific problems such as global plate tectonics, as well as China’s capability and confidence in independent R&D in the field of science and technology. Driven by the Chinese people’s curiosity about the unknown, the intellectual achievements of generations of scientists who have strived tirelessly for decades, and the perseverance and hardworking spirit of the Chinese people to face difficulties head-on, we are time and again reminded of this truth: only by taking the path of independent innovation can we earn respect and secure the future.
The independent R&D and rise of core domestically manufactured components have ended the era of America’s sole dominance in this field. The formulation of the 13th Five-Year Plan has consolidated the development of national major construction projects and laid the foundation for the achievements made by Chinese enterprises that have made outstanding contributions to deep-sea exploration through their unremitting efforts. Just as the Fendouzhe Submersible is able to withstand the water pressure at the 10,000-meter depth of the Mariana Trench and maintain a stable diving trajectory – relying on domestically developed new titanium alloy materials and the most advanced and reliable thrusters – China must grasp the initiative in innovation and development in its own hands if it is to become stronger.
Today, Chinese netizens deserve to cheer and celebrate for the Fendouzhe Submersible. I can proudly say: 10,000 meters under the sea – China has made it!
