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China's largest fishery patrol ship begins mission

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-11 23:16

GUANGZHOU -- China's largest fishery patrol ship has started its way to the Xisha Islands to enhance the fishery protection and maritime surveillance efforts in the South China Sea.

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The ship, China Yuzheng 311, sailed at midday Tuesday from Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province.

Yang Jian, a Ministry of Agriculture engineer, said given the country's heavy task of maritime rights and interests protection, the vessel would reinforce the fishery administration in the South China Sea.

China Yuzheng 311 was converted from a rescue vessel of Chinese navy. It is 113.5 meters long and 15.5 meters wide and at 4,450 tonnes.

The patrol ship will be in charge of maritime patrol in China's exclusive economic zones, navigation protection and fishery emergencies.