China plans to send crewed submersible to the Arctic seabed

China plans to send a crewed submersible to explore the polar seabed, highlighting its growing ambitions in the Arctic Ocean, South China Morning Post reports. The submersible will be launched through a hole in the hull of the polar research vessel Tan Suo San Hao, developed by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation.

• The vessel has undergone tests for underwater docking and low-temperature operations, although specific details haven’t been disclosed. China previously relied on foreign technology, but now has developed its own systems for future polar research and  deep-sea resource exploration.
• Polar research vessels face limitations due to ice floes, so using submersibles enables researchers to explore under the ice. This mission could make China the second country – after Russia’s 2007 Arktika mission – to send a crewed vessel to the Arctic seabed.
• The Tan Suo San Hao is equipped with advanced deep-sea research support, including a 10,000-meter winch system. The vessel was built in the southern city of Guangzhou and is expected to start sea trials next year, enhancing China’s status as a “near Arctic” power with a growing fleet of icebreakers.