GUANGZHOU, March 23 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday started broadcasting marine forecasts for three reefs in the Nansha Islands via radio to the South China Sea region.

Based on the forecasting information provided by the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), the Guangzhou coastal radio station broadcasts forecasts for waves, tides, ocean temperatures, winds and tropical cyclones on the Yongshu, Meiji and Zhubi reefs, said Bai Yiping, deputy director of the SOA South China Sea forecast center.

The radio station broadcasts on 15 frequencies via single sideband radiotelephone, very high frequency radiotelephone and narrowband printing telegraph.

Forecasts for the marine conditions of the three reefs started on Jan. 1, with related information released via online platforms, fax and mobile text messages.

With the new radio broadcast channel, vessels and reef residents in the South China Sea will receive accurate information instantly to protect the safety of people's lives and assets, said Hong Sixiong, an official for South China Sea navigation.