GUANGZHOU - China has pledged to build a stronger fleet of fishery administration ships with higher tonnage in a bid to better safeguard its sea territory and fishermen.

The vow came as the country's fastest fishery administration vessel, China Yuzheng 310, made its maiden voyage from Guangzhou on Tuesday to cruise around the East China Sea waters near the Diaoyu Islands.

The 2,580-ton vessel, with a highest speed of 22 nautical miles (40.7 kilometers) per hour and a cruising radius of 6,000 nautical miles, can carry 56 people aboard and sail 60 days nonstop.