Premier Wen Jiabao called for more effective maritime rescue
efforts after 1,022 stranded local and foreign fishermen were
rescued in the South China Sea.
Wen said recently that the nation's maritime authorities have
received much praise for successfully rescuing both domestic and
foreign fishermen.
The premier urged the maritime departments to carry forward good
traditions and do more to effectively deal with maritime
emergencies.
The eight-day-long massive rescue operation, which ended on Nov.
30, rescued 29 Philippine fishermen and seven Vietnamese fishermen
out of waters in the Nansha and Xisha Islands.
Chinese maritime rescue authorities also helped nearly 1,000
local fishermen who were hampered by tropical storm Hagibis from
sailing back to supplement provisions.
China sent three rescue ships, two fishery administration ships,
a helicopter and a warship to rescue the 1,022 fishermen on 52
boats.
The rescue operation also got help from passing ships from the
China Shipping (Group) Company and China Ocean Shipping (Group)
Company.
(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2007)