CGTN documentary depicts sunken treasures retrieved by manned submersible

The Shenhai Yongshi, or Deep Sea Warrior, is one of the most advanced submersibles in the world. Its operational depth is up to 4,500 meters. It was used to carry out an archaeological project on two ancient shipwrecks in the South China Sea, as it can provide the photos required to create high-definition maps, an essential step for the extraction of the relics.

In the "Silk Road Sunken Treasures", a CGTN documentary, Feng Wanli, Chief Assistant from Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), described how her job -- creating high-definition maps, was facilitated by the Deep Sea Warrior.

To retrieve items from the seabed, the first step was to set up a complete database, including the orthophoto maps of the shipwrecks.

Photographic stitching can capture the fine details of the textures and patterns of each cultural relic. "The original materials for photographic stitching need large numbers of photos. We need to make a plan for an area, and the submersible will follow the survey line. We must make sure each photo overlaps by more than 60 percent. We use an ultra-HD camera, so the photos are virtually identical to the actual relics down below. They are just like replicas, one by one, of each relic. We can pinpoint the locations of different types of porcelain items by directly following the positions indicated on the map. It will save a lot of time. Every day I wake up immersed in archaeological work. When I close my eyes, I still think about the artifacts. I will keep looking at the pictures. Sometimes when I sleep, I might dream that I am a fish, and I can directly get a closer look at that particular artifact," said Feng.

With the recovery of the relics, long-lost skills and artistry are once again revealed.

"Silk Road Sunken Treasures" is a CGTN documentary on China's latest breakthroughs in deep-sea archaeology. It reveals a hidden part of history, bringing to light the splendor of the Maritime Silk Road. "Silk Road Sunken Treasures" is an unprecedented look at the South China Sea through the enduring legacy of intercultural dialogue.

CGTN documentary depicts sunken treasures retrieved by manned submersible

CGTN documentary depicts sunken treasures retrieved by manned submersible

China on Wednesday announced interim measures for the implementation of a flexible retirement system, in a move to enforce the previously adopted policy of incrementally raising the statutory retirement age.

The measures stipulated the procedures for applying for flexible retirement and the requirements for receiving basic pensions, among other details.

Under the new policy, individuals will be allowed to retire up to three years earlier than the new statutory retirement age once they have met the minimum pension contribution requirements. But it is not allowed to retire earlier than the previous statutory age.

Individuals will be able to postpone retirement to an even later date if they reach an agreement with their employers, though this delay must not exceed three years.

Experts say the new retirement system offers flexible options for workers with different situations.

"The flexible retirement policy takes into full consideration the needs of different groups, allowing workers to flexibly choose their own retirement time and to better balance life and work. The lower-aged elderly who have willingness, capabilities, and conditions, could continue to engage in social production and service roles to realize their personal value," said Li Chang'an, researcher with the Academy of China Open Economy Studies under the University of International Business and Economics.

Chinese lawmakers voted in last September to adopt a decision on gradually raising the statutory retirement age in the country, marking the first adjustment in the arrangement since the 1950s.

According to the decision adopted at the 11th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, the statutory retirement age for men will be gradually raised from 60 to 63 in the course of 15 years starting 2025, while that for women cadres and women blue-collar workers will be raised from 55 to 58 and from 50 to 55, respectively.

Starting 2030, the minimum year of basic pension contributions required to receive monthly benefits will be gradually raised from 15 years to 20 years at the pace of an increase of six months annually.

China announces interim measures for introducing flexible retirement system