China patrol ships reach South China Sea reef

A patrol team consisting of four China Marine Surveillance (CMS) ships on Sunday reached Huayang Reef in the South China Sea.

The CMS patrol team sailed from south China's coastal city of Sanya on June 26 to the South China Sea to conduct regular patrols. The team is expected to travel more than 2,400 nautical miles (4,500 km) during the patrols.

Team commander Li Yongbo spoke with Chinese officers stationed on the reef while the team passed through the area.

Huayang Reef is a coral reef in the Nansha Islands.