CCG Enhances Maritime Law Enforcement with Ship-Aircraft Coordination

The China Coast Guard Strengthens Maritime Law Enforcement Capabilities

The China Coast Guard (CCG) is committed to strengthening its maritime law enforcement capabilities, focusing on enhancing ship-aircraft coordination and improving its ability to safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. This was announced by Zhang Jianming, head of the law enforcement department of the CCG.

In recent years, the CCG has made significant strides in enhancing its aviation law enforcement capabilities. This includes focusing on low-altitude patrols, personnel deployment, and ship-aircraft joint operations. The CCG has established initial capabilities for ship-aircraft coordination and remote joint enforcement, which has significantly improved its enforcement efficiency and effectiveness.

Last year, the CCG deployed helicopters with a fleet of vessels to the Pacific and Arctic Oceans for the first time to engage in fisheries law enforcement in international waters. They also sent patrol aircraft and shipborne helicopters to conduct law enforcement in territorial and adjacent waters near the Xisha Islands and Huangyan Island.

The CCG is authorized to conduct law enforcement activities to protect the rights of maritime areas under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China and in the airspace above them. This is in accordance with the China Coast Guard Law, which was put into force on February 1, 2021.

The CCG will continue to strengthen its law enforcement capabilities, particularly by enhancing ship-aircraft coordination to improve the force's ability to safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, and take part in international maritime governance.

In 2024, the CCG spared no effort to enhance the level of rule of law and standardization in maritime law enforcement. By ensuring security and stability of the jurisdictional waters and the successful completion of major tasks, the force has effectively safeguarded national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

The CCG also strengthened efforts to combat maritime smuggling activities last year. They handled 601 maritime smuggling cases and seized a large amount of frozen goods, refined oil, cigarettes, and coal worth 830 million yuan ($1.15 million). They also seized 3.8 metric tons of drugs.

Furthermore, the CCG stepped up efforts to enhance international law enforcement cooperation last year. They conducted international exchanges and cooperation 58 times with countries including Russia, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The number of joint international law enforcement missions that the CCG took part in increased 45 percent year-on-year, which is a significant breakthrough.