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 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 Friday.
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 by the state media here.
A report by State-run CCTV said China has deployed 17 ships in the South China Sea, where China is involved in maritime disputes with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.