Chinese 3-man submersible makes deepest dive

China's oceanic institution says a manned Chinese submersible has successfully reached its lowest-ever depth.

The State Oceanic Administration says the submarine with three men took less than three hours Tuesday to dive to a depth of more than 16,404 feet (5,000 meters).

State-run Xinhua News Agency says the Chinese-made Jiaolong is the world's first manned submersible designed to reach a depth of 22,965 feet (7,000 meters). It will attempt a test dive at this new depth next year.

Japan's Shinkai 6500 has a depth range of 21,325 feet (6,500 meters) and is the greatest of any manned research vehicle in the world today.

China started the Jiaolong project in 2002.