On October 13, the 2025 World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) conference opened at the Shanghai World Expo Center. During the opening ceremony, the “2025 Top 10 Global Engineering Achievements,” selected by Engineering, the journal of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, were officially announced. Among these, China’s full-ocean-depth manned submersible, supported by Harbin Engineering University (HEU), was successfully included.

Since the era of the PLA Military Engineering Institute, HEU has closely aligned with national strategic needs, playing a key role in the design of China’s first nuclear submarine. From the deep-sea manned submersibles “Jiaolong” and “Shenhai Yongshi” to the full-ocean-depth “Fendouzhe,” HEU has consistently supported China’s manned deep-diving efforts, exemplifying its sense of mission and responsibility as a “national team.”

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The multi-type, high-precision underwater acoustic positioning systems developed by HEU’s research team have been installed on the “Jiaolong,” “Shenhai Yongshi,” and “Fendouzhe” submersibles, acting as the “eyes” for these manned submersibles and enabling accurate underwater target positioning.

The “Jiaolong” successfully achieved sea trial milestones at depths of 1,000 meters, 3,000 meters, 5,000 meters, and 7,000 meters.

The “Jiaolong” set a new record by diving to a depth of 7,062 meters.

China’s second deep-sea manned submersible, the “Shenhai Yongshi,” completed sea trials at varying depths ranging from 50 meters to 4,500 meters in the South China Sea.

The full-ocean-depth manned submersible “Fendouzhe” successfully dived to a depth exceeding 10,000 meters, reaching 10,058 meters in the Mariana Trench, setting a new record for China’s manned deep diving.

The “Fendouzhe” later dived to 10,909 meters in the Mariana Trench, marking a milestone in China’s manned deep diving technology.

The “Jiaolong” also achieved China’s first manned deep dive in the Arctic ice zone.

HEU has cultivated numerous outstanding graduates in the maritime and shipbuilding industries, with many of these talents now serving as the backbone of China’s deep-sea exploration efforts.

YE Cong, an alumnus of HEU, majored in the College of Shipbuilding Engineering and enrolled in 1997.

TANG Jialing, an alumnus of HEU, majored in the College of Information and Communication Engineering and enrolled in 2003.

ZHANG Yi, an alumnus of HEU, majored in the College of Shipbuilding Engineering and enrolled in 2008.

CHEN Yunsai (first from the right), an alumnus of HEU, majored in the College of Shipbuilding Engineering and enrolled in 2007.

By closely aligning with national development needs, HEU continues to push the boundaries of science, making significant contributions to the advancement of manned deep diving technology and helping to write a new chapter in this critical field.