Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue

China's Ministry of Transport has conducted a rescue drill in the waters off Hainan. Eight rescue ships, 2 rescue helicopter, an unmanned drone and more than 100 crew members took part in the 75-minute drill.

Rescue vessels and a helicopter take part in an emergency rescue drill held at the sea area near Fenghuang island in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 23, 2016. The drill aimed at enhancing emergency response skills of maritime rescue teams. (Xinhua/Yuan Yongdong)

Zhang Guiping, deputy head of the Nanhai Rescue Bureau, says the drill is meant to keep its personnel sharp.

"We need to see the results of our daily training every once in a while, while at the same time, work through different scenarios in the case of emergencies."

One of the rescue ships which took part in the drill is going to be open to the public this Wednesday in Hainan. There are over 30 Chinese rescue vessels currently patrolling southern Chinese waters.

Rescue vessels and helicopters take part in an emergency rescue drill held at the sea area near Fenghuang island in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 23, 2016. The drill aimed at enhancing emergency response skills of maritime rescue teams. (Xinhua/Yuan Yongdong)

A helicopter demonstrates how to rescue people falling into water during an emergency rescue drill held at the sea area near Fenghuang island in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Aug. 23, 2016. The drill aimed at enhancing emergency response capabilities of maritime rescue teams. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)