China's second manned submersible tested in Wuxi

The mechanical arms of the submersible practice moving and picking up objects while underwater. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A major different between the two submersibles is the sourcing of the materials. While Jiaolong imported many of its key parts, nearly 95 percent of components making up the new submersible are China made.

Xu Qinan, chief designer of Jiaolong, compares the newly made submersible to a bridge connecting Jiaolong and future productions. The new model can meet the current demands for ocean exploration and lays a strong foundation for future generations of submersibles that will be able to descend over 10,000 meters and reach the deepest parts of the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean.

The research and development team takes a photo with China's second manned submersible, which is capable of descending over 4,500 meters, at China Ship Scientific Research Center in Wuxi. [Photo / wxrb.com]

In July, the submersible will be taken to the sea for further trial operations prior to being handed over to the Chinese Academy of Sciences before the end of 2017, according its chief designer Hu.