China's largest semi-submersible integrated fish farming platform has officially been put into operation in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, marking the stocking of its first batch of fry.
The platform, named "Xinhuan No. 1," has a total aquaculture water volume of 64,000 cubic meters, roughly equivalent to 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools, and is capable of producing 4,000 tons of fish per year.
Crew members on the platform said the first batch of roughly 3 million fry will be released over a period of 20 to 30 days beginning Friday last week when the system went into formal operation. The fry consist mainly of fourfinger threadfin and pearl grouper.
After about 10 months of farming, the fish are expected to grow to an average weight of more than 0.5 kilograms each, ready to reach consumers' dinner tables.
The Xinhuan No. 1 operates a rotational stocking and harvesting system. Fish will be harvested in batches at appropriate times, with new fry restocked to maintain optimal density in the cages, a strategy designed to maximize annual yield.
According to the project's lead manager, in addition to fish farming, the platform will also support agriculture-tourism integration, including recreational fisheries, fishing, and sightseeing tours.
"We raise two batches of fish each year, with 2,000 tons per batch, adding up to 4,000 tons annually. While we focus on raising quality fish, our second line of business is a service model that combines recreational fishing and sightseeing tours," said Li Xihuan, general project manager of "Xinhuan No. 1."
China's largest semi-submersible fish farming platform goes into operation
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Sunday that decisions on war and negotiations rest with Iran's leadership and the Supreme National Security Council, as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the two countries were still expected to sign a memorandum of understanding later in the day.
At a meeting on Sunday, Pezeshkian said that everyone must obey the decisions made by Iran's Supreme Leader, adding that the Iranian government simultaneously pursues the well-being of its people, national sovereignty, and the development of regional relations.
He stressed that through internal unity, proactive diplomacy, and economic reforms, Iran will overcome challenges.
On the same day, prior to Israel's attack on Lebanon, a source close to the Iranian negotiating team said a Qatari negotiating delegation was in Tehran, Iran's capital, and that the Iranian side was using the Qatari team to convey to the United States the terms it hoped to include in an Iran-U.S. agreement, as well as specific details it considered important.
The source emphasized that no final decision had been reached yet.
Regarding the ups and downs in the negotiations, the source said that, despite setbacks, Iran remains committed to the principle that all of its concerns must ultimately be fully taken into account. The source added that even if Iran's positions are fully reflected in the agreement, Tehran will not sign any deal within the timeframe announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
On Sunday, the Israeli military again launched an airstrike in Beirut's southern suburbs in Lebanon.
In response, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on social media that the Israeli strike had once again shown the United States "either lacks the will to fulfill its commitments or the ability to do so," making it impossible to continue the dialogue process.
Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Sunday that the U.S. and Iran still had a good chance of signing a memorandum of understanding later in the day, which would restart cargo traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and lift U.S. blockades on Iranian ports.
In an interview with U.S. media, Hegseth said the two countries are "on track to" sign a deal to end fighting on Sunday.
"It's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when," he said.
Hegseth said that after the agreement is signed, the U.S. and Iran will have 60 days to negotiate a longer-term peace arrangement and tackle broader issues, including Iran's nuclear program.
He said that the agreement is performance-based, meaning that no funds will be released to Iran until the Iranian side performs.
Iranian president says Iran's leadership decides on war, talk; US defense secretary expects MoU signed on Sunday
