China will complete the construction of an independently-developed manned diving machine that can go to a depth of 7,000 meters underwater to survey the sea bed.

"By now, most of the equipment and sub-systems for the diving capsule are ready, and the new system is expected to be completed in 2007," said Cui Weicheng, president of the No.702 Research Institute of the China Shipping Industry Corporation, in the weekend.

The diving capsule, which can carry three people, is capable of working underwater for 12 straight hours and catching 75 kilograms of minerals with its two "mechanical hands", Cui told Xinhua.

"No other manned diving vehicle in the world will be able to go deeper into the sea when it is finished," the scientist said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2006)