GUANGZHOU, May 22 (Xinhua) -- China's rescue ship the Nanhaijiu 111 has called off its search for missing Vietnamese fishermen who were caught up in typhoon Chanchu, sources with the Maritime Search and Rescue Center of South China Sea said Monday.

    Tang Zhongfa, the vice director of the rescue center said as of 10:30 p.m. Sunday, no further Vietnamese fishing boats have been found throughout the extensive search area.

    Experts said the boats that are still missing may have returned to Vietnam now that the weather has cleared since the typhoon has stopped.

    Tang said that up to 5:00 p.m. Monday afternoon, rescue ships have sailed 664 sea miles,covering an area of 13,471 square kilometers. China's rescuers had found 22 Vietnamese boats, 500 fishermen, and 21 bodies. They have rescued and provided emergency assistance to 15 Vietnamese boats with 330 fishermen on board.

    Vietnam said it had lost contact with 32 boats and 356 fishermen during the typhoon. As of last Saturday seven boats and 88 fishermen remained missing.

    Tang said Chinese rescue ships are ready to renew their search as soon as they receive any new information regarding the location of stranded fishermen.

    China Maritime Search and Rescue Center was informed by the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam last Friday afternoon that 22 Vietnamese fishing boats and hundreds of fishermen were caught up in Typhoon Chanchu and were running low on fuel and drinking water.

    Vietnam asked China to help in the search for the missing fishermen. Enditem