China's Ministry of Communications and Navy have jointly launched a marine relief station on an island in China's southern Xisha archipelago.
Located in the South China Sea, it is China's southernmost marine relief station.
Each year, more than 10 typhoons hit the South China Sea, resulting in frequent accidents.
Xu Zushan is China's vice Minister of Communications.
He says the station extends China's marine relief network 200 sea-miles southward.
As a result, it reduces the relief time by more than 10 hours.
"The operation of Xisha marine relief station will improve the framework of China's marine relief stations that the Ministry of Communications set up along China's coastlines."
Already, China's most modern-equipped marine relief ship and jetplane have moved into the station.
Xisha serves as one of the busiest marine transportation routes in the world.
China uses the area to head into east, Southesat and west Asia, as well as Africa and Europe.
Half of the world's super ships and nearly 90% of China's energy imports pass through its waters.
Xisha is also a famous fishing site, with more than 100,000 fishing boats.
But the place is most known for being hit frequently by typhoons.
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Director: Liu Chi