the Nanhaijiu 118 takes part in a drill off the Xisha Islands on May 3

Wang Qingjian, a captain who has fished in the Nansha Islands for 34 years, said, "The new station will greatly help fishermen."

Wang Wensong, the captain, said: "We will try our best to save any vessel sending distress signals in waters under our jurisdiction, no matter what country a vessel is from — even it is from a country that has territorial disputes with China, or a country without diplomatic relations with us. These are not problems."

Beijing has promised to develop its search and rescue capabilities in the South China Sea to "provide necessary assistance" to both Chinese and foreign ships.

In 2006, Wang, then first officer of the Nanhaijiu 111, worked with other Chinese rescuers to search a vast area after a typhoon, and located 22 Vietnamese fishing ships at Hanoi's request. They rescued and helped 330 Vietnamese fishermen.

Wang said the growing number of rescue forces in the South China Sea will help with China's Belt and Road Initiative and business worldwide.

"Shipping is the major way to send cargo, and a guaranteed international route is good news for all countries."