China identifies 30 more shipwrecks

China’s Oceanic Administration announced the discovery of 30 shipwreck sites in Chinese waters identified between 2004 and 2009. Many of the sites are located in the waters of China’s southeast coast, which is the gateway for maritime trade between China and Southeast Asia.

China discovers 30 archaeological shipwreck sites
The China Post, 14 December 2010

More than 30 archaeological shipwreck sites have been discovered off China’s shoreline, the national oceanic body has reportedly said.

The shipwrecks were discovered during a research project called 908, China News Service quoted an unidentified official with the State Oceanic Administration’s department of science and technology as saying.

The findings were released during a seminar on the project in Xiamen, Fujian province.

The research conducted by the administration between 2004 and 2009 covered 676,000 square kilometers of inland water and territorial sea.

Ancient merchants shipped vast stores of goods, including ceramics and bronze-wares, along the Maritime Silk Road.