Chinese submersible Jiaolong to dive in Yap Trench

China's manned submersible Jiaolong surfaces after its dive in Yap Trench, June 9, 2017. Jiaolong completed its 150th dive on Friday since 2009. [Photo/Xinhua]

ABOARD XIANGYANGHONG 09 - China's manned submersible Jiaolong will conduct two dives in the Yap Trench on Sunday and Tuesday.

The upcoming dives will be the final dives of China's 38th oceanic scientific expedition that started on Feb. 6, according to scientists on the ship.

Before reaching the Mariana Trench and the Yap Trench in June, Jiaolong had successfully completed two stages of operation in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.

Jiaolong descended to 6,488 meters in the Yap Trench on Friday, which was its 150th dive since August 2009.

Jiaolong reached its deepest point of 7,062 meters in the Mariana Trench in June 2012.