On the morning of December 22, the Hainan tour of Science and China—1,000 Academicians, 1,000 Science Lectures, together with the 54th Distinguished Scientist Lecture of Hainan University, was held at the International Academic Exchange Center of Hainan University. Bai Chunli, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and former President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a keynote speech entitled Deep Diving: Rapid Rise of Deep-Sea Technology in China.

Li Hu, Chairman of the Hainan University Council, Luo Qingming, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and President of Hainan University, along with other members of the university leadership attended the lecture.

The 54th Distinguished Scientist Lecture of Hainan University was held at the International Academic Exchange Center of Hainan University on December 22. (Photo by the Publicity Department)

Starting with General Secretary Xi’s important instructions on advancing marine science and technology, Bai explained why deep-sea exploration is so essential. He noted that deep-sea exploration and research plays a vital role in understanding the origin and evolution of life. Moreover, the deep sea harbors enormous strategic resource potential, which has attracted great attention from major science and technology powers worldwide. Meanwhile, the deep sea represents a frontier of basic scientific research. Human’s ocean exploration dates back to antiquity and the history of global deep diving is marked by risk and challenge.

Bai Chunli delivers the presentation. (Photo by the Publicity Department)

Focusing on China’s manned deep-diving technology, Bai systematically reviewed the progress of our deep-sea science and technology. He stated that China’s deep-diving capabilities have developed rapidly, achieving world-leading numbers of dives and qualified divers at the 10,000-meter depth. China has also completed, for the first time, manned deep-diving survey missions in Arctic ice-covered waters and boasts submersibles with continuous operational capability at an advanced international level. He emphasized that these achievements in manned deep diving are inseparable from breakthroughs in a series of key core technologies. While advancing deep-sea engineering technologies, China also strengthens basic research in deep-sea science, giving rise to a continuous flow of innovations. He encouraged faculty members and students to venture boldly into the deep and devote themselves to deep-sea research.

The lecture hall was filled to capacity. Faculty members and students listened attentively and engaged in exchanges and discussions with Bai Chunli, who answered their questions.

Officials from the Hainan Association for Science and Technology, along with representatives from relevant academic and enterprise associations, attended the lecture. They were joined by heads of schools and departments of Hainan University, as well as faculty and student representatives from its Haidian, Danzhou, Mission Hills (including the Chengxi Teaching site), and Yazhou Bay campuses, participating both online and offline.

Translated by Zhang Xiaohan

Proofread by Yang Jie