China's Ministry of Communications on Sunday officially launched a rescue flying service for the South China Sea.

The ministry staged a launching ceremony in Zhanjiang City of south China's Guangdong Province.

The setup of the salvage flying service in China indicates thatmaritime and air rescue systems at China's North Sea, East Sea andSouth Sea areas have been strengthened, said Ding Pingsheng, deputy-director of the salvage department under the ministry.

The South China Sea, which includes the areas to the west of Guangdong, Qiongzhou Straits and Beibu Gulf, has seen frequent typhoons and ship wreckage in history.

The salvage flying service will be carried out by medium-sized helicopters and can cover an area with 100 sea miles in radius.

Source: Xinhua