A new ship docking at the Sansha harbour of south China's Hainan province saw China’s latest efforts to increase its presence in the South China Sea. / Xinhua Photo

The ship, named "Sansha General Support Ship 01," completed its maiden voyage on Monday from east China's Shanghai to Sansha, where it will operate. The 32-meter vessel weighs 498 tonnes, and can be out to sea for 45 days, and is able to resist gales with speeds of more than 60 kilometers per hour. / Xinhua Photo