China Yuzheng 306, a large fishery administration ship which is the first to set sail for a permanent deployment in the waters around the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea, leaves a South Chinese port on Friday, Xinhuanet reported Friday.

China Yuzheng 306 leaves port in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong province, for the Xisha Islands on Sept 2, 2011. [Xinhua]

The vessel with a maximum displacement of 400 tonnes will join two other smaller fishery administration ships to patrol the waters around the islands and safeguard China's marine sovereignty, fishing rights and interests.

The deployment of this ship, which left Guangzhou port in South China's Guangdong province, symbolizes that China has an all-weather law enforcement force in the area.

The ship is 56 meters long, 7.8 meters wide and 3.85 meters high, with a maximum speed of 18 nautical miles per hour.