(Photo/CNTV)

China has sent out the first attendants working at the five lighthouses on the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea.

The first group of attendants consists of six officers. They set off on Aug. 23 from Haikou, Hainan province, making their way to the Nansha Islands. The five lighthouses were erected on Huayang, Chigua, Zhubi, Rongshu and Meiji reefs. Four are already in operation, while construction of the lighthouse on Meiji Reef is near completion, China Network Television (CNTV) reported.

The five lighthouses are all between 50 and 55 meters tall, and are equipped with revolving, 4.5-diameter lights. Covering a range of 22 nautical miles each, the lighthouses count as an important public service being provided by China in the South China Sea, demonstrating China’s commitment to its international duties and esponsibilities, CNTV reported.

The five lighthouses in the South China Sea are among more than 2,000 lighthouses scattered along China’s coastal regions, assisting all ships in Chinese waters with navigational tasks. China has additionally installed four light beacons on reefs in the Xisha Islands, four automatic recognition stations on Yongxing, Dong, Chenhang and Zhongjian Islands and some 31 navigation marks for civilian use in the waters of the South China Sea. An oceanic meteorology radio station has also been set up on Yongxing Island, China Youth Daily reported.