China's first ship specially designed for deep-sea exploration, the Zhang Jian, set sail from Shanghai to the South Pacific on July 12. It will sail across the equator into the southern hemisphere for scientific research. 

The 97 meters long and 17.8 meters wide ship is heading for the waters of the New Britain Trench in the Solomon Sea, off Papua New Guinea, which is more than 8,000 meters deep. The vessel is the mother ship carrying the landing device for Rainbow Fish - a submersible that can dive as deep as 11,000 meters. Chinese researchers are preparing to send the Rainbow Fish into the Mariana Trench late this year or early next year, Fang Jiasong, chief scientist of the mission, said.

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During Zhang Jian's two-month journey to the Southern Pacific, scientists aboard the vessel will study the terrain, water, and sediment in the 8,000 metre-deep trench of northwestern Pacific Ocean, which is believed to be very rich in resources.

"We will study the terrain of the trench, take samples of seawater, sediment and explore the bio-diversity, and increase our understanding of the Earth's deepest water," Fang explained. "Zhang Jian is China's first ship specially designed and built for deep-sea exploration. The journey is an important step in our efforts to take on the Mariana Trench. Scientists will test the navigation abilities of the ship and its scientific equipment."

The ship departed last weekend, ahead of the visit of the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill of Papua New Guinea to China. During his visit, O'Neill signed agreements for direct flights and to encourage investment.

TagsZhang Jian, Rainbow Fish, Solomon Sea, china, papua new guinea