Lucia's tourism minister called it a miracle, and the island's maritime affairs unit is investigating exactly what caused the ship to sink.

NPR: US Tourists Survive Ship Sinking Near St. Lucia

Li Jie, a senior captain at the Chinese Naval Research Institute, tells Global Times that territorial disputes with Japan exposed "chaotic and inefficient" management of maritime affairs with as many as 17 military and government agencies involved.

BBC: China media: Railways ministry

In China Daily, Prof Gong Jianhua, a maritime affairs specialist at Guangdong Ocean University, welcomes the new coast guard, but says China should promote joint development with neighbours in the South China Sea on the basis of a China-Asean free trade zone to ease "anxiety and suspicion".

BBC: China media: Railways ministry