SANYA /China/, July 20. /TASS/. A Chinese vessel specializing in underwater archaeological work has completed a mission of underwater archaeological research near the Xisha Islands (Paracel Islands) in the South China Sea and moored in the port of Sanya (Hainan Province, South China). This was reported by the Sanya Daily newspaper.

According to the article, the mission started on June 6 and lasted more than 40 days. A total of 331 samples of cultural relics, including fragments of ceramic products and glassware, copper coins and nails, as well as other samples, were collected during the underwater archaeological work. The discovery will provide scientists with important information to further the study of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, the newspaper wrote.

It is noted that the project was conducted in accordance with a unified plan of the National Cultural Heritage Administration of the PRC and under the guidance of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province.

It is noted that the project was conducted in accordance with a common plan created by the National Cultural Heritage Administration of the PRC and under the guidance of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province. The organizers were the Archaeological Research Center under the National Cultural Heritage Administration of the PRC, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Transport of Sansha city on Hainan and the Chinese Museum of the South China Sea (Hainan province).

China's first underwater archaeological research ship was built in 2014. It is 56 meters long and 10.8 meters wide and can accommodate 30 people.