China has deployed three new ships to naval forces stationed in the South China Sea over the weekend, suggesting an enhanced capability for maritime support, media reports said.

The three ships, the transport and supply ship Luguhu, electronic reconnaissance ship Haiwangxing and pelagic survey ship Qianxuesen, began servicing the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy stationed in the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea on Friday, according to Navy Today, the PLA Navy's official magazine.

The magazine said that the supply ship can also provide medical aid at sea, while the reconnaissance ship is capable of reconnaissance missions under any weather condition.

The survey ship will mainly carry out measurement missions at sea and the islands, and can do so for an extended period of time, the magazine added.