The new ship is intended to help China transport various supplies to the islands it controls in the disputed region. According to China’s state-operated Xinhua News Agency, the Sansha No.2 transport ship passed tests in August and can “cover the whole South China Sea”.

The agency added that it has a displacement of over 8,000 metric tons and will help civilian and military work.

The report suggests the ship can go 6,0000 kilometres without refuelling and carry up to 400 people, making it a perfect vessel for excursions and missions across the waters.

The technological advances the ship displays are prominent, as a vessel that went into use 11 years ago could carry just 2,540 metric tons.

The ship is currently intended to take equipment and personnel to the Parcel Islands, an area controlled by China.

The move to introduce the ship was not initially clear, but according to Jay Batongbacal, a professor at the University of the Philippines, China intends to use the ship in order to show other countries what it is capable of.

He said: “They’re expanding their capabilities in all areas.

“Deploying in the disputed areas is even more symbolic. It’s also more important for them, because they’re able to keep ahead.”