Beijing, Sep 23 (IANS): China held its first national oil spill drill near the southern coast Monday to test how prepared the country was in the event of a severe marine pollution incident.

The drill, organised by China's transport ministry, simulated a collision between a tanker with 20,000 tonnes of crude oil and an empty cargo ship.

The simulated collision recreated an oil spill, fire and injuries to personnel, Xinhua reported.

The drill used 38 vessels, two airplanes, one ambulance and more than 300 rescuers.

As China imports more than half of the oil it consumes, and which is brought in by ships, the sea around China could be in danger of oil spills that would threaten the marine environment.

Zhi Guanglu, executive director of the China Maritime Search and Rescue Centre, said the drill was an attempt to implement the government's plan of protecting the marine environment.

The drill involved not only professional rescue teams but also fishermen and volunteers.