China will increase the number of its maritime inspection vessels next year in an effort to strengthen the surveillance of waters that are the bone of territorial contention with several nations.

Quoting an official from the China Marine Surveillance, the “China Daily” reported that China will build 36 inspection ships next year, including seven weighing one-thousand-500 tons.

The Chinese maritime law agency has 400 inspection ships, ten planes and eight-thousand staffers.

Analysts say China is moving to beef up its maritime surveillance fleet, as the number of its sea disputes with other nations has recently jumped. China has been involved in a territorial dispute with Japan over the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. It’s also currently embroiled in a standoff with the Philippines over Huangyan Island in the South China Sea which is claimed by both countries.