SHENZHEN, Jan. 12 -- China succeeded in its first 300-metre saturation diving on Sunday morning as three divers returned safe and sound from deep water to the living chamber on the ship.

The diving bell actually reached 313.5 meters deep under the South China Sea, according to Guo Jie, on-site chief director of the experiment.

The three divers, Hu Jian, Guan Meng and Dong Meng returned to the deck of the ship at 5:09 a.m. Sunday.