The China Ocean Mineral Resources Research and Development Association said on Thursday that Qianlong No1 completed a successful dive of 4,159 meters in the South China Sea in May.

The dive was a major boost to efforts to explore the ocean floor and carry out research.

Qianlong No1 is 4.6 meters long and 1.6 meters wide, weighing about 1,500 kilograms.

The submersible is designed with a maximum diving depth of 6,000 meters and a continuous traveling time of 24 hours.

The vehicle can survey the sea floor and collect deep-sea data.