Ship sent to protect interests

China's largest fishery administration ship reached the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea yesterday on a mission to strengthen fishery protection and maritime surveillance after an incident between Chinese vessels and a US navy ship a week ago.

Converted from a retired Chinese navy rescue vessel, the China Yuzheng 311 set sail from Guangzhou last Tuesday.

"The ship was sent to safeguard the country's maritime rights and enhance fishery protection in the exclusive economic zones in the South China Sea," Liu Tianrong, vice-inspector of the Administration for Fishing Affairs and Fishing Ports on the South China Sea, was quoted by Shanghai-based Dragon TV as saying on Saturday.