The scientific research ship Tansuo-1 returned to port on Dec. 5 after completing its deep-ocean expedition to the Mariana Trench, together with China’s self-developed deep-sea manned submersible Fen Dou Zhe (Striver). Wang Jian, BGI Group co-founder and chairman, was part of an expedition to the western Pacific Ocean, helping to sample organisms living 10,000 meters below the surface.

Fen Dou Zhe (Striver) successfully conducted 23 dives, with six exceeding a depth of 10,000 meters during the 53-day voyage. It also completed the scientific expedition in the Challenger Deep of the Mariana Trench – the deepest known point of Earth’s oceans.

Researchers collected a variety of precious deep-sea samples, which will provide valuable data for the comparative study of unique environments, geology, and life at different ocean depths.

“Our team is keen to support international collaborations, such as the Mariana Trench Environment and Ecology Research Project (MEER),” says Wang. “We hope that the digitized genetic materials will shed light on questions about the origin of life, biodiversity, and extreme environmental adaptation.”

With the completion of this project, 67-year-old Wang Jian adds to his list of impressive achievements in the pursuit of knowledge, including reaching the greatest heights by summiting Mount Everest, diving the deepest depths on a 10,000-meter scientific expedition to the ocean floor, and completing an exploration of the Earth’s South and Arctic regions.