The Jiaolong manned submersible prepares to depart from a port in East China's Jiangsu province for the 5,000-meter trial dive, July 1, 2011.[Photo/CFP]

China's self-developed manned submersible Jiaolong, which translates to Dragon, successfully dived 5,000 meters under the sea for the first time at 3 am on July 21 during a trial voyage in the northeast Pacific Ocean, the China News Service reported Thursday.

Manned by three sailors, the submersible completed the record dive after a five-hour-long voyage under the sea.

With the capability to dive to a maximum depth of 7,000 meters, presently Jiaolong is the world's deepest diving manned submersible.

After the successful trial dive of 5,000 meters, it will prepare for a 7,000-meter-dive next year, which will set a new record.