China praises submarine crew's emergency handling

Crew members of Submarine 372, of the PLA navy's South Sea Fleet, salute in an undated photo.GAO YI/CHINA DAILY  Click for PLA submariners defy death in the depths

BEIJING -- The Chinese military was urged to learn from the crew of a submarine, after they successfully handled a major underwater emergency in mission.

Following an instruction by President Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), a seminar was held on Wednesday to promote the experience of the crew of People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy submarine 372.

According to a document issued at the seminar, the crew of 372 encountered a "major dangerous circumstance underwater" and "successfully solved the situation, overcome multiple difficulties and fulfilled their mission."

Senior navy officers and representatives of the crew and their families gave reports at the seminar attended by about 800 people from universities and military units in Beijing. Leaders of the PLA's four headquarters, the PLA Navy, the Communist Youth League Central Committee and the CMC general office attended the event.

During a speech at the seminar, Fan Changlong, deputy chairman of the CMC, called on soldiers and officers to learn the spirit of 372 and firmly follow the instructions of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the CMC and Xi.

Fan also urged the military to enhance training, promote military preparedness, and improve the soldiers' proficiency with arms, especially high-tech weapons.

Submarine 372 experienced a sudden plunge at a "underwater cliff" with its main cabin flooded during the mission. The crew resolved the situation within three minutes, according to reports at the seminar.