Headline from CCTV Xi Jinping met the oceanauts, alumni Ye Cong and Tang Jialing was dubbed with the title "Hero of manned deep-sea project"

Xi Jinping, General Secretary of CPC Central Committee, China's president and president of Central Military Commission , met the representatives of advanced units of manned deep-sea project and advanced workers. On behalf of the Central Committee and the State Council , he extended warm welcome and cordial greetings to the scientists, cadres and workers who executed manned deep-sea test of Chinese deep-sea submersible, Jiaolong successfully. He encouraged everyone to hold together, struggle and exploit to achieve new breakthrough in the fields of marine development and make greater achievements to build a strong marine country. Our alumni Ye Cong and Tang Jialing were among the representatives and were awarded the honor of "Hero of manned deep-sea project".

Li Keqiang, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, Liu Yunshan,member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Zhang Gaoli, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee,Vice-Premier of the State Council attended the meeting.  
In the west hall of Great Hall of the People , there were filled with joy. At 10 PM, xi Jinping and other central leading comrades came to the representatives and an enthusiastic applause broke out in the hall. Xi Jinping shook hands with the delegates, chat with them and asked about their work and health condition. Then, xi Jinping took photos with the delegates.

Liu Yandong, Li Zhanshu and Yang Jing also took part in this meeting.

In 2002, the project of submersible “Jiaolong”was listed as one of the major projects of National 863 Program. The project was conducted by the State Oceanic Administration, and more than 100 scientific research units participated in the joint research, independent design, integration and innovation. In June, 2012, the submersible”Jiaolong”successfully completed the 7000 meters’diving and the maximum depth of 7062 meters,creating maximum depth records of the international similar type manned vehicle. The success  marked thatChina has already have the ability to carry out the deep sea resources research and exploration in more than 99.8% of the ocean in the world. We made great breakthrough in marine technology, which showed that our manned deep-sea technology has firmly established itself as one of the world advanced level.

After the meeting, our alumni, the oceanauts Ye Cong and Tang Jialing were honored with the title of " Hero of manned deep-sea project"which was awarded to 7 people. by the Central Committee and the State Council. Their ocean test term was awarded with the title of "Collective of manned deep-sea".