China´s largest fishery patrol ship starts mission

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-15-2009 13:33

China's largest fishery administration escort vessel has made its maiden voyage. China Fishery Administration 311 is a forty-six hundred ton ship. It left southern China's Hainan Province on Saturday for the South China Sea. Its mission is to enhance fishery protection and maritime surveillance efforts and enforce China's sovereignty over the South China Sea.

China's largest fishery administration escort vessel has made its maiden voyage.

The fishery patrol ship was formerly a military vessel in the Chinese Navy's South China Sea Fleet. The fleet transferred it to the South China Sea Fisheries Bureau at the end of 2006. With a top speed of 22 knots, it is the Bureau's fastest vessel.

The ship will mainly carry out escort duties and sea rescue operations in China's exclusive economic zones, including the islands of Xisha, Nansha and Zhongsha and Beibu Bay.

Liu Tianrong, Deputy Inspector of South China Sea Fisheries Bureau said "Bringing the ship into service will enhance China's management of fisheries in the country's exclusive economic zones in the South China Sea. It's particularly helpful for the protection of resources around the islands of Xisha and Nansha."

The administration has encountered increasing harassment in the South China Sea by foreign ships in recent years. Some have even illegally detained Chinese ships within China's territorial line.

To safeguard the country's sovereignty, the South China Sea Fisheries Bureau says it plans to further expand its fleet over the next three to five years.

Editor:Xiong Qu