(XIA GUANNAN)

Thirty Chinese fishing vessels set off for the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea on May 6.

The ships, each with a capacity exceeding 100 tons, will remain around the Nansha Islands for 40 days. A supply ship and a transport vessel will be accompanying the fleet.

The ultimate goal of the operation is to develop a business model that allows fishermen to catch fish around the Nansha Islands on a regular basis, said local fishery authorities.