Treasure hunters

Treasure hunters (from left) Chang King-fu, Frank Lee Siu-tung, Kenny Wan Ping-wing, Calvin Wong, To Yiu-nam and Steve Chan Loi-fat prepare to set off yesterday from Aberdeen on their search for an 800-year-old shipwreck in the South China Sea.

The wreck lies near Sheung-Sha Chuen Island - 40 nautical miles south of Macau - and was found by accident by a Sino-British team in 1987 as it searched for a more modern wreck. Among the items found were a Middle Eastern gold belt, silver money and Sung Dynasty ceramics, Mr Chan said. A second Japanese expedition found only broken pieces of china and the world forgot about the wreck - until Mr Chan heard the story.

The Hong Kong China Underwater Archaeological and Research Expedition Society, which Mr Chan chairs, will conduct a month-long search for the wreck with mainland authorities.