Mariners' families struggle

When their husbands leave home to serve the country on long ocean voyages, wives of Chinese seafarers stand tall as they take responsibility for their families, which often experience adversity and loneliness.

Wang Wumei, who has been married to a mariner for 15 years, couldn't hold back her emotions when she recalled the hard days of taking care of a newborn child, along with elderly parents on both sides, during her husband's long absences.

"Sometimes I would call him when I was facing hard times, even though I knew he couldn't be reached at sea without a mobile signal. I just needed some evidence of his existence, to know that I have a husband," Wang said before melting into tears at a recent media event in Shanghai.