China has sent its first survey team to the Xisha Archipelago in the South China Sea recently to determine whether female whales to give birth in the area.

The survey team was composed of 15 Chinese and Russian experts. Approved by China's Ministry of Agriculture and the Hainan Provincial marine and fishery department, they will observe the sea area near Xisha Archipelago for 10 days. They will emphasis the study of the grey whale, while keeping an eye on other whale species.

Grey whale is the only species living and reproducing in shallow waters along the coast. Due to mass hunting, the number of grey whales in the world has dropped to no more than 100.

Protection of grey whale was listed on the agenda of the 56th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in the Italian port city of Sorrento last year.

With a long coast line, China is believed to be a major grey whale breeding ground. The county had not previously surveyed greywhales, because of a lack of funds and technology.

(Xinhua News Agency March 6, 2005)