BEIJING - A remote medical station was established on Tuesday near Yongshu Reef, located in the Nansha Archipelago in the South China Sea, according to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.

The station will provide Chinese servicemen and fishermen living on the Nansha islands with advanced medical support and equipment, the PLA Navy said.

The station is part of the "Remote Medical Supportive System" developed by the Navy's General Hospital to provide medical assistance and consultation for naval forces deployed offshore, on islands and on the sea itself, the PLA Navy said.

The station is of great importance in terms of upgrading medical services in the Nansha sea area, according to the PLA Navy.

The Nansha Archipelago is the southernmost part of China's territory and belongs to South China's Hainan province.