The Jiaolong, China's manned submersible, completed a practice dive in Sanya, Hainan province, on Saturday to prepare for a deep descent in the South China Sea. The submersible stayed underwater for 18 minutes in Saturday's drill before returning to the Xiangyanghong 09, the mother ship, after the crew-training exercise.

Zhang Weijia, who participated in the simulation, said she was excited to enter the submersible for the first time and learn about its facilities, operations and emergency escape procedures.

The Jiaolong's South China Sea dive is part of the second stage of China's 38th Ocean Scientific Expedition. The expedition will last for about four months.