Marine forecasting initiated in China's Sansha City

Marine authorities announced the launch on Friday of a marine environment forecasting service in China's newly established city of Sansha in the South China Sea.

The Sansha Marine Forecasting Information Network, launched by the South China Sea Forecasting Center of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), forecasts factors such as wind, wave and water temperature in and near the city over the following 72 hours, said a written statement issued by the SOA South China Sea branch.

It also issues forecasts on the marine environment around Huangyan Island, as well as Yongxing Island and Yongshu Reef, according to the statement.

As China's youngest city, Sansha was officially set up last July on Yongxing Island in the South China Sea. The city administers three island groups -- Xisha, Zhongsha and Nansha -- and their surrounding waters.

The South China Sea is a marine thoroughfare with abundant fishery resources and offshore oil and gas resources, as well as an area prone to adverse environmental conditions, including frequent typhoons, sea fog, rainstorms and heavy winds.