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| China Coast Guard Vessel (File Photo) |
BEIJING (PTI): China is ramping-up its naval surveillance fleet in big numbers as part of attempts to assert its control in the disputed South and East China Sea to fend off emerging challenges from the US and Japan in the region.
China is expanding its coast guard fleet to better protect the country's maritime rights, the State Oceanic Administration (SOA) said on Jan. 17.
China will speed-up the construction of 20 inspection ships this year and plans to purchase patrol ships and planes, SOA director Liu Cigui was quoted as saying by the state media.
A report by state-run CCTV said China has deployed 17 ships in the South China Sea, where it is involved in maritime disputes with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.
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