The sixth International Summit on Hadal Zone Exploration is held in Putuo district in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, from June 17 to 18. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

The sixth International Summit on Hadal Zone Exploration was held in Putuo district in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province, from June 17 to 18.

Scientists, researchers, educators and students from China, Britain, the United States and Denmark shared their ideas about technological development in hadal zone exploration.

The hadal zone refers to the layers of ocean at a depth of more than 6,500 meters. Scientists have been exploring the zone for several decades and are trying to send the first manned submersible into the area.

The summit was co-hosted by the government of Putuo district, Westlake University, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai Shutong Hadal Science and Technology Development Foundation, and Rainbowfish Hadal Geek Research Base.

Attendees discussed many topics related to hadal zone exploration, such as microbial dynamics, manned and unmanned submersibles.

The island city of Zhoushan, with its unique geography and a group of sound deep-water ports, enjoys huge potential in ocean exploration compared to other cities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region.

With YRD integration being elevated to a national strategy, Zhoushan and Shanghai have broader room for cooperation in ocean technology.

The Shanghai Rainbowfish Ocean Technology Co established an industrial park in Putuo district of Zhoushan in 2017 to provide one-stop services for the R&D and sale of marine equipment.

The park will be built into a cluster zone of emerging ocean technology companies working on cutting-edge deep-sea equipment, so as to promote the development of the local marine industry.

Pieces of marine equipment developed by Shanghai Rainbowfish Ocean Technology Co are displayed outside the conference venue. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]