National

Regional

Taiwan, HK, Macao

Special Coverage

Focus

Society

Profiles

Chinese patrol ship arrives in Xisha Islands

(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-03-18 12:46

 

China's largest fishery administration ship has arrived in the Xisha Islands, after its week-long maiden voyage from its home port in Guangzhou.

The ship arrived around noon on Tuesday. Earlier, it anchored at the major island of Yongxing.

The 46-hundred ton ship was formerly a naval vessel in the South China Sea Fleet. It's the administration's fastest ship, with a top speed of 22 knots.

Its main duties are escort and sea rescue operations in China's exclusive economic zones, including the islands of Xisha, Nansha and Zhongsha and Beibu Bay.

The ship also aims to enforce China's sovereignty over the South China Sea.