A 3,000-ton marine surveillance ship, the Haijian 110, started its maiden voyage to patrol waters in the Yellow Sea and protect undersea cables, according to a statement published on the website of the State Oceanic Administration on Nov 12.

The statement didn't reveal any details about the patrol or the ship.

The ship is the latest to join the country's patrol fleet after President Hu Jintao urged the country to become a "maritime power" during the opening ceremony of the ongoing 18th National Congress of the Communist Party.

China Marine Surveillance said earlier this year, that another 36 inspection ships are expected to join the surveillance fleet in 2013, including seven vessels weighing 1,500 tons each.

According to CMS, China has about 300 marine surveillance ships and 10 planes, to carry offshore law enforcement missions.

The CMS fleet has been patrolling the waters off the Diaoyu Islands to safeguard the country's sovereignty over the islands amid tensions between China and Japan since September.