China's major tech breakthroughs

Photo taken on May 16, 2017 shows the flames spouting from the trial mining site in the Shenhu area of the South China Sea. [Photo/Xinhua]

China succeeds in mining combustible ice in South China Sea

This is China's first success in mining flammable ice at sea, after nearly two decades of research and exploration.

Experts believe that the success shows China has mastered combustible ice mining technology. It marks a historic breakthrough after nearly two decades of continuous efforts and independent innovations by China in theory, technology, engineering and equipment for natural gas hydrate exploration and exploitation.