It's hardly "trumping SpaceX and Cameron", that's pure linkbaiting. What's notable about SpaceX and Cameron's sub is that they're both wholly privately funded

It's hardly "trumping SpaceX and Cameron", that's pure linkbaiting. What's notable about SpaceX and Cameron's sub is that they're both wholly privately funded -- that's a novel, and significant, development. That a world-power government can do these things is hardly news, and in no way overshadows the significance of SpaceX & Cameron's projects -- being important milestones towards commercial exploitation of the solar system & deep ocean. Compare China's current position to the traditionally dominant players -- i.e. other world-power governments -- if you want the comparison to be even remotely meaningful.