Core Insights - The deep sea holds untapped treasures that require advanced technology for exploration and development [1] Group 1: Technological Advancements - The "Deep Sea Warrior" and "Fighter" manned submersibles have significantly contributed to deep-sea archaeology and scientific research, with "Deep Sea Warrior" completing 858 dives and "Fighter" 441 dives as of September this year, showcasing international leadership in operational capacity [2][4] - The "Global Abyss Exploration Plan," initiated during the 14th Five-Year Plan, has attracted numerous domestic and international research teams, establishing a foundation for China's leadership in deep-sea science [4][11] Group 2: Research and Discoveries - The latest expedition of "Deep Sea Warrior" aims to conduct archaeological excavations at a shipwreck site in the South China Sea, utilizing a new universal mapping platform to enhance underwater detection efficiency [5][7] - The "Global Abyss Exploration Plan" has involved 145 scientists from 10 countries, leading to systematic research on nine major oceanic trenches and significant scientific discoveries [11][23] Group 3: International Collaboration - The recognition of the "Global Abyss Exploration Plan" by the United Nations as part of the "Ocean Decade" highlights China's manned submersible capabilities on the international stage [11][13] - Initial skepticism from international scientists regarding China's deep-sea equipment has been overcome through successful collaborations, leading to significant sample collections and research advancements [20][21] Group 4: Future Directions - The "Deep Sea Warrior" will focus on complex tasks such as deep-sea archaeology and rescue operations, while "Fighter" will lead international scientists in systematic studies of global abysses and polar underwater research [27]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights China's advancements in deep-sea exploration technology, focusing on two key manned submersibles, "Deep Sea Warrior" and "Fighter," which are crucial for unlocking the treasures of the deep sea and supporting various scientific endeavors [1][3]. Group 1: Technological Advancements - The "Deep Sea Warrior" submersible has completed 858 dives, while the "Fighter" has completed 441 dives, showcasing their international leading operational capabilities [3]. - The "Deep Sea Warrior" has undergone significant upgrades, including a mechanical arm with double the weight capacity and enhanced maneuverability, allowing for more complex tasks [11]. - The "Fighter" has introduced a secondary release device, enabling it to hover at a depth of 300 meters during ascent, facilitating various scientific explorations [13]. Group 2: Scientific Exploration Initiatives - The "Global Abyss Exploration Plan," launched during the 14th Five-Year Plan, has attracted numerous domestic and international research teams, establishing a foundation for China to gain a competitive edge in deep-sea science [5][15]. - This plan has involved 145 scientists from 10 countries, conducting systematic research on nine major oceanic trenches, leading to significant scientific discoveries [15]. - The "Deep Sea Warrior" is set to undertake archaeological missions, such as the excavation of a sunken ship in the South China Sea, utilizing advanced underwater photography and mapping techniques [7][9]. Group 3: Future Directions - The two submersibles are expected to continue expanding China's marine exploration capabilities, with the "Deep Sea Warrior" focusing on complex tasks like underwater archaeology and rescue operations, while the "Fighter" will lead international research on global deep-sea environments [21]. - New generation deep-sea detection spectrometers are being developed to enhance the understanding of the underwater environment, reflecting ongoing innovation in deep-sea research equipment [17]. - The achievements in deep-sea exploration are paving the way for China to establish its own path in marine science, emphasizing the nation's commitment to advancing its technological prowess in this field [19][21].

Core Insights - An international research team led by the Deep Sea Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has discovered the deepest known chemosynthetic life community at a depth of 9,533 meters in the Northwest Pacific Ocean [1][2] - The research utilized the "Fendouzhe" manned submersible to directly observe the largest and deepest chemosynthetic life community, primarily composed of deep-sea tube worms and bivalve mollusks [1] - This discovery may reveal new metabolic pathways and extreme pressure adaptation mechanisms, contributing to the understanding of life in the abyssal zone [1] Research Program - The study is part of the Global Hadal Exploration Programme (GHEP), a 10-year international research initiative aimed at uncovering the mysteries of Earth's deep-sea regions [2] - The research team has planned additional exploration missions to further investigate the global distribution patterns of chemosynthetic ecosystems and their potential impact on the global carbon cycle [2]

Core Findings - The research led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences has discovered the deepest known chemosynthetic life communities at a depth of 9,533 meters in the ocean, which do not rely on sunlight for energy [1] - The study revealed large-scale chemosynthetic life communities and methane reservoirs along a 2,500-kilometer stretch of ocean trench, primarily consisting of deep-sea tube worms and bivalve mollusks [1] - The methane in these environments is produced by microorganisms deep within sediment layers, indicating the existence of a previously unknown, active deep biosphere beneath the abyssal seafloor [1] Implications for Ecosystem and Carbon Cycle - The discovery challenges the traditional view that abyssal ecosystems are primarily sustained by organic particles and animal remains sinking from the ocean surface, providing a new perspective on the complex mechanisms of deep-sea carbon cycling [1] - The research suggests that chemosynthetic life may significantly influence the structure of abyssal ecosystems and global carbon cycles, indicating the presence of a "chemosynthetic life corridor" in deep ocean trenches worldwide [2] - This study is part of the "Global Abyss Exploration Program," an international research initiative led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences aimed at uncovering the mysteries of the Earth's deep ocean [2]

Core Insights - The "Global Abyss Exploration Program" has been officially approved by the United Nations "Decade of Ocean Science" Executive Committee, led by the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, marking a new chapter in global cooperation in deep-sea exploration [1][5] Group 1: International Collaboration - Chinese scientists will collaborate with researchers from over 10 countries, including New Zealand, Denmark, and Germany, to explore the Earth's deepest ocean "unmanned areas" [1][5] - The program aims to shift international deep-sea science from isolated research to systematic research, promoting the development of the international abyss discipline [5][6] Group 2: Scientific Objectives - The program will focus on extreme environmental life, geological processes, and the impact of human activities on abyssal environments, addressing questions about life origins and evolution [6][5] - Key research areas include the distribution and evolution of abyssal life, plate subduction and geological evolution, deep-sea material and energy exchange, abyssal carbon cycling, and global changes [6][5] Group 3: Achievements and Future Directions - Over the past decade, China has transitioned from "catching up" to "leading" in manned deep-sea exploration, with significant achievements such as the successful joint expedition to the Puysegur Trench involving 68 scientists from 8 countries [5][6] - The program is part of China's broader strategy to deepen international scientific cooperation and participate in global scientific governance, reflecting a commitment to open collaboration in various fields [6][5]