CCTV9英语新闻：350-meter deep sinkhole cave found in Guangxi（在线收听）

A joint geological expedition of 27 members from China, France and Italy has discovered another tiankeng, or giant sinkhole cave, in south China's Guangxi Province.

A 350-meter-deep pit with nearly vertical walls... The newly-discovered tiankeng looks like a narrow gap in the green landscape. It is also a fine example of how nature works its magic to create a stunning view. For further exploration, the expedition turned to professional equipment that let them climb down, along the wall of the pit from the top.

"You can see what I need for the exploration -- a set of uniforms, a safety belt, ropes and a lock. I have to check the equipment on a regular basis to ensure safety, as I will be in great danger even if a tiny detail goes wrong," A expedition member Chen Lei said.

Tiankengs are giant pits with special geological features formed by repeated cave-ins. Members of the exploration team had to be careful about the fragile rocks surrounding them during their adventure. Unfortunately, they only reached 240 meters down the pit due to a shortage of safety ropes.

The pit also offers a special opportunity for biological research. Team members say that's because its inaccessibility makes it great for studying the plants and animals contained within.