The mission will include experiments designed to test the Jiaolong's positioning system, as well as biological surveys and geological sampling to be conducted in the Pacific Ocean.

The first, lasting about 43 days, will be in the South China Sea, where the Jiaolong will test its performance and collect information about the waters and their influence on China's climate.

The ship will then sail to two mining areas in the Pacific Ocean for geological surveys and to collect biological and mineral samples in preparation for future mining operations.

Xu Qinan, chief designer of the submersible, said, "Jiaolong's participation in exploring strategic resources such as copper, manganese and nickel, will be important to meet China's future demand."

Scientists said the ocean depths contain various raw materials, including silver, gold, cobalt and zinc, which are usually found in higher concentrations than in terrestrial mines.

China has held exploration rights to raw minerals in two areas of the Pacific since 2001. These will be a target for the Jiaolong in the future dives, according to Liu Feng.

The Jiaolong set a new dive record after reaching a depth of 7,062 meters in the Pacific Ocean's Mariana Trench in June last year.

The current mission marks the start of a five-year trial period for the Jiaolong before it goes into regular operation.

Questions:

1. How many people are on the Jiaolong submersible?

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