A maritime rescue vessel departs from Sanya port for the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea in July 2021, carrying the 13th group of rescue forces to be stationed in the Nansha waters for a three-month mission.Photo: Xinhua

A rescue flight brigade of China's Ministry of Transport in the South China Sea, the local marine department and the maritime search and rescue center have been stationed on Nansha Islands and reefs in South China Sea to undertake emergency rescue missions, perform duties such as supervision of maritime traffic safety and prevention and control of ship pollutions in the area and to guarantee  navigation safety and production activities in coastal states.

According to Xinhua News Agency on Sunday, this is a concrete measure by China that will aid the provision of public goods to the international community and that will help the country fulfill international responsibilities and obligations. The move additionally demonstrates China's vision of peaceful development and its image as a responsible major country, and helps build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Statistics showed that in the past 10 years, China has conducted 197 maritime search and rescue operations in the South China Sea, successfully rescuing 1,721 Chinese and foreign people in distress, with a success rate of 95.56 percent, providing a solid guarantee for the safety of life and property and maritime navigation and transportation in the region, Xinhua reported.

Over the last 10 years, China has conducted 197 maritime rescue missions and saved 1,721 people in the South China Sea. It has a mission success rate of 95.56 percent, which provides a solid guarantee for the safety of life and property, maritime navigation and transportation in the region, China Daily reported.

The State Council, or China's cabinet, in June 2012 approved the establishment of Sansha, a prefectural-level city in South China's Hainan Province to administer the Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha islands and the surrounding waters in the South China Sea.

Global Times