Seamen on Chinese rescue ship "Nanhaijiu 111" rescue Vietnamese fishermen in the sea areas of the Dongsha Islands, in the South China Sea on May 20, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

    BEIJING, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A total of 330 Vietnamese fishermen caught in typhoon Chanchu have been saved by Chinese rescuers, said China Maritime Search and Rescue Center on Sunday.

    The center said Saturday afternoon, they saved 97 Vietnamese fishermen.

    According to the center, by 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, Chinese rescue ship "Nanhaijiu 111" had found 21 Vietnamese fishing boats in danger in the sea areas of the Dongsha Islands, in the South China Sea.

    "Nanhaijiu 111" has provided food, fresh water and fuel to 306 Vietnamese fishermen on 14 fishing boats, said the center.

    On Friday afternoon, another Chinese rescue ship "Dejin" found and saved another endangered Vietnamese fishing boat with 24 fishermen on board near the Dongsha Islands.

    The rescue operation has lasted for more than 40 hours, and Chinese rescuers are continuing their efforts to search for other endangered Vietnamese fishermen.

    The Chinese Ministry of Communications called it a large-scale rescue operation ever launched in China, during which the center contacted the Hong Kong maritime rescue center for assistance. Enditem