Chinese naval fleet patrols southernmost territory

Four Chinese Navy ships have reached Zengmu Reef off Nansha Islands, the southernmost part of China's territory in the South China Sea. The ships have been conducting patrols and training missions on the South China Sea over the past eight days.

All crew took part in an oath-taking ceremony on Tuesday morning at the reef, saying they are determined to safeguard the country's sovereignty on the South China Sea. The four ships from the Nanhai Fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy left Sanya from south China's Hainan Province on March the 19th. The fleet patrolled the islets and reefs of Nansha Islands between March the 23th and 25th. It will now head for the western Pacific Ocean via the Bashi Channel to continue its high-seas training.