30 illegal exploration platforms found in S China Sea

Guangzhou (CNS) -- A China Marine Surveillance (CMS) patrol team recently discovered more than 30 foreign oil and gas exploration platforms illegally operating in the South China Sea. An official announcement of the discovery was made on Tuesday following the team's third mission which concluded just days ago.

According to South China Sea branch of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), during the search of Chinese-administered waters, the CMS team spoke to people on the foreign platforms via loudspeaker, requiring them to report basic information about their rigs.

The fleet team also sailed past Huangyan Island, Huoai Reef, Xiyue Island, Anda Reef etc., for a close observation and monitoring.

Neither foreign military vessels nor foreign ships conducting scientific research and exploration were found during the patrol.

The South Sea fleet of the China Maritime Surveillance Force has intensified its patrols in the South China Sea in recent years, conducting nearly three times as many missions in 2011 as it did in 2008.