Chinese and New Zealand scientists have successfully completed a historic joint dive expedition to the Puysegur Trench—marking the first time humans have reached its deepest point.
Led by the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering (China) and NIWA (New Zealand), the three-month expedition involved 68 scientists from eight countries and completed 32 dive missions aboard the Tansuo-1 research vessel using China’s full-ocean-depth manned submersible Fendouzhe (Striver).
“For the first time in history, humans have reached the deepest point of the Puysegur Trench,” said chief scientist Du Mengran at the expedition’s closing event in Wellington.
Among the discoveries were suspected new species of invertebrates and fish, as well as rare “whale fall” organisms that survive on the remains of dead whales.
Du noted the mission was jointly designed and carried out by Chinese and New Zealand scientists, with nine dives completed by foreign researchers.
In total, Fendouzhe logged 75 hours across five dives—a new record for China.
NIWA’s Rob Murdoch called the collaboration “invaluable,” giving New Zealand scientists access to advanced submersibles and samples that would otherwise be out of reach. Data and specimens will now be analysed jointly, with findings to be published in the coming years.
This is the second joint manned dive between the two countries, following a 2022 mission to the Kermadec Trench. Chinese Ambassador Wang Xiaolong praised the partnership, calling deep-sea exploration “a once-fantasy frontier now made real.”
Centrist Ltd.