China regulates on deep sea samples and data

BEIJING, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- China will manage deep sea samples and data to promote communication, cooperation and sharing of deep sea science, according to a regulation issued by the State Oceanic Administration (SOA).

The regulation is also intended to protect the rights and interests of the explorers, said the SOA.

Citizens, legal persons and other organizations who conduct activities in deep sea areas including resource exploration and exploitation, environmental protection, science and technology research, resource research, need to submit the samples and data collected to authorized organizations, according to the regulation.

The SOA, in charge of submission and collection of deep sea samples and data, is the supervisor and coordinator of the management of samples and data, said the regulation.

In November, China's manned submersible, able to reach a depth of 4,500 meters, passed a state safety test and is ready for commissioning.

Currently in service is China's manned submersible Jiaolong, which set a record by diving 7,062 meters deep in the Mariana Trench in June 2012. Enditem