Jiaolong （Chinese: 蛟龍号）is a Chinese manned deep-sea research submersible. It had its first test in South China Sea between May 31 and July 18, 2010, reaching a depth of 3,759 metres (12,333 ft) with three crew members on board.[1] On July 22, 2011, Jiaolong reached a depth of 4,027.31 metres (13,213.0 ft) in northeastern Pacific. The five-hour mission included chemical, physical and biological research. So far 17 missions have achieved.[2][3] The vehicle has made China one of the few countries – the US, France, Russia and Japan – that have independently-produced deep-water technology.[4][5]
At 6:17 a.m. (CST Beijing) on the July 26, 2011, the craft reportedly reached a depth of 5,038 metres (16,591 feet) below sea level.[6][7]