Conference to celebrate China's achievements in ocean drilling

An academic conference celebrating the achievements of international ocean drilling over the past 50 years was held at Shanghai's Science Hall on Tuesday.

“Although lagging behind for 30 years, China has made remarkable progress,” said Wang Pinxian, a professor at Tongji University, who was also the chief scientist for the first drill China participated in back in 1999.

“China was the first developing country to join the international ocean drilling program," he said. "We have participated four times in the programs and completed 18 drilling projects in the ocean.”

China has a three-step plan for ocean drilling. The first step, which was accomplished last year, was to take part in at least two drilling programs in the South China Sea.

From 2014 to 2017, China took part in to three drilling projects there.

“The findings were significant,” said Jian Zhimin, a professor from Tongji University who is also the chief scientist of the latest program. “They suggested that how the South China Sea opened is totally different to the hypothesis widely used to explain how the Atlantic was formed.”

The second step of the plan is to lead a voyage, and become capable of providing a platform to gather scientists from all over the world. 

“We are planning to hold a conference on ocean drilling in 2020,” said Wang.

Jian added: “As we speak, we are drilling into the earth's crust at the bottom of the South China Sea."

The drill actually started in 2014, but mechanical failures slowed the project until now.

“It is now over 1,600 meters under the 3,900-meter deep seabed which ranks sixth in drilling depth in the world,” said Jian.

For the third step, China will build its own ocean going vessel capable of drilling.

Wang said he was hopeful of a fourth step given the cooperation and communication with the United States, Europe and Japan.