Chinese vessels are seen around Fiery Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. (Photo : Reuters)
China plans to plant a drone-carrying ship at the heart of the disputed waters in the South China Sea in what Chinese authorities claim to be a move toward advance rescue for fishing boats.
Citing the ship's political commissar Chen Xingguang, China Daily reported that the plan would entail deploying a ship that carries drones as well as underwater robots to aid smaller vessels that are in trouble.
"Our bureau is planning a duty post in the Nansha Islands, with a ship based there. This will possibly be carried out in the second half of the year," Chen told the outlet, referring to the disputed Spratly Islands.
The Rescue Ship
According to the outlet, the vessel called the Nanhaijiu 118 will be part of China's South China Sea Rescue Bureau at the Ministry of Transport.
This plan comes weeks after China was reported to have been urging fisherfolk to participate in basic military trainings to multiply the country's force and presence along the contested waters.
According to Nanhaijiu 118 captain Wang Wensong, the ship that China plans to include in the mission would not be the same as his previous 3,700-ton vessel.
Wang said it would be bigger and equipped with more advanced rescue equipment such as drones and underwater robots.
However, there was no word on which specific island in the area the ship would be based in.
Expanding Chinese Presence
According to the World Tribune, the Spratly Islands are a hotly disputed territory claimed by China as well as other neighboring countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.
Because of China's continued presence in the area, there is a good chance that the other nations claiming sovereignty over it would react, especially if a technologically advanced ship is to set sail and base in one of the islands.
Previous reports indicate China's moves toward increasing their presence, both military and civilian, in the disputed region. This includes more Chinese tourists visiting the area and the training of "fishing militia" to serve as an advanced party in monitoring activities in the South China Sea.
In the Paracel Islands, almost 20,000 Chinese citizens have already visited the area over the past three years.
During this time, the civilians interviewed during their tour felt pride for the beauty of the territory, making them believe that the territory is indeed owned by the Chinese.
Meanwhile, hundreds of fishermen were being trained on contending with rescue operations and "safeguarding Chinese sovereignty," per a report from Reuters in April.
