CHINA / SOCIETY
China's new deep-sea explorer Haiqin completes mission in South China Sea
By Xinhua Published: Aug 25, 2025 08:09 AM
China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), is recovered from the sea, onboard ship Zhong Shan Da Xue, in the South China Sea, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua)

China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), is recovered from the sea, onboard ship Zhong Shan Da Xue, in the South China Sea, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua)


China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), has successfully completed a deep-sea voyage in the South China Sea, scientists have told Xinhua.

The deep-sea electric ROV system named Haiqin, which was designed and built by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, reached a depth of 4,140 meters during the sea trial early on Saturday morning.

Equipped with high-definition cameras, robotic arms, sonar systems and sensors -- the ROV demonstrated capabilities including automatic heading control and precise hovering.

China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), places a marker on the seafloor at a depth of 4,140 meters, in the South China Sea, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua)

China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), places a marker on the seafloor at a depth of 4,140 meters, in the South China Sea, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua)


 
Research expedition members deploy China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), onboard ship Zhong Shan Da Xue, in the South China Sea, Aug. 22, 2025. (Xinhua)

Research expedition members deploy China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), onboard ship Zhong Shan Da Xue, in the South China Sea, Aug. 22, 2025. (Xinhua)


 
China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), is recovered from the sea in the South China Sea, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua)

China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), is recovered from the sea in the South China Sea, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua)


 
Research expedition members work on the main deck of ship Zhong Shan Da Xue, in the South China Sea, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua)

Research expedition members work on the main deck of ship Zhong Shan Da Xue, in the South China Sea, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua)


 
Research expedition members of ship Zhong Shan Da Xue pose for a group photo with China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), onboard ship Zhong Shan Da Xue, in the South China Sea, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua)

Research expedition members of ship Zhong Shan Da Xue pose for a group photo with China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), onboard ship Zhong Shan Da Xue, in the South China Sea, Aug. 23, 2025. (Xinhua)


 
Research expedition members work inside a monitoring power station of China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), in the South China Sea, Aug. 22, 2025. (Xinhua)

Research expedition members work inside a monitoring power station of China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), in the South China Sea, Aug. 22, 2025. (Xinhua)


 
Research expedition members watch and discuss footage sent back by China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), onboard ship Zhong Shan Da Xue in the South China Sea, Aug. 22, 2025.. (Xinhua)

Research expedition members watch and discuss footage sent back by China's self-developed Haiqin, a 6,000-meter deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV), onboard ship Zhong Shan Da Xue in the South China Sea, Aug. 22, 2025.. (Xinhua)