While preparing to launch its first space station in 2011, China is also working on an ambitions ocean exploration program that may send men to 7,000 meters deep into the ocean, for the first time in the world.

Sun Zhihui, director of the State Oceanic Administration, said on Monday that a deep-sea manned submersible for the mission has been assembled last year and the test would begin this year.

If successful, the China-made submersible would be the first manned vehicle to reach such a depth. So far, manned submersibles could only descend to 6,500 meters below the sea level.

According to Sun, the submersible could carry a crew of up to three people, and would play an important role in deep-sea exploration of natural resources and polar researches.

Sun did not give a specific timetable for the test, saying it was still in discussion.

The average depth of the world ocean is about 3,790 meters below the sea level.

Source: Xinhua