On October 17, a fleet comprising the Chinese Coast Guard vessels Meishan and Xiushan successfully concluded the joint maritime exercise and patrol with Russia, returning triumphantly to Zhoushan.
On the morning of October 17, the Meishan and Xiushan docked at the pier, where the second bureau of the Chinese Coast Guard held a grand welcome ceremony to celebrate the fleet’s return. The fleet set sail from Zhoushan on September 13 and traveled through the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea, and the Chukchi Sea before entering the Arctic Ocean, completing its journey in 35 days. It logged over 1,200 hours at sea and covered more than 17,000 nautical miles. During this period, the Chinese and Russian Coast Guards conducted various activities, including ship open days, deck receptions, and cultural exchanges. They also carried out joint exercises in the vicinity of Peter the Great Gulf, testing their ability to jointly tackle maritime safety risks through coordinated search and rescue operations, interception and inspection of suspected criminal vessels, and assistance with overboard incidents.
Captain Feng Mingming of the Meishan stated, “We actively expand the scope of our law enforcement mission, continuously honing our fleet’s capability to execute diverse tasks, and effectively showcase the Chinese Coast Guard’s confident, open, and professional image.”
On September 21, the Chinese Coast Guard transitioned into a joint patrol phase, efficiently coordinating with Russian vessels as they entered the North Pacific’s high seas for cooperative monitoring of fishing activities. This included joint search and rescue operations and other practical exercises aimed at maintaining order in the North Pacific fishing grounds.
Commander He Feng of the Chinese Coast Guard fleet emphasized the significance of this mission in solidifying the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era and enhancing mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries’ maritime agencies. He noted, “Our next steps will include practical bilateral and multilateral maritime law enforcement cooperation while actively engaging in international and regional maritime governance to fulfill our international obligations and demonstrate our great power responsibility.”
The joint maritime patrol, lasting 35 days with over 1,200 hours at sea, marks a significant milestone as this is the first time the Chinese Coast Guard has dispatched the Meishan and Xiushan vessels into the Arctic Ocean. Why were these two ships chosen for such a pivotal mission?
Both the Meishan and Xiushan belong to the second bureau of the Chinese Coast Guard and are 3,000-ton vessels capable of operating efficiently in high seas, except in extreme cold conditions. They can endure winds up to force 12 and are equipped to sustain a month-long journey under adequate supply conditions.
Marine expert Yang Xiao from the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations explained, “These 3,000-ton vessels are not only the mainstay of the Chinese Coast Guard but also align with the typical scale used in international coast guard operations. Their comprehensive capabilities make them suitable for maritime law enforcement and long-term presence at sea, adapting to a variety of tactical needs, thereby making them the preferred choice for far-reaching maritime law enforcement.”
Notably, this joint operation is a historic first for both the Chinese and Russian Coast Guards, representing a major advance in expanding maritime patrol ranges and effectively testing their operational capabilities in unfamiliar waters. Researcher Chen Xiangmiao from Huayang Marine Research Center commented, “The joint patrol in the Arctic Ocean is a significant breakthrough in this special maritime region. As an observer in the Arctic Council, China’s cooperation with Russia—an Arctic coastal state—demonstrates our collective commitment to managing the promising Arctic routes.”
In recent years, China has actively engaged in fulfilling United Nations resolutions and complying with regulations pertaining to the conservation and management of North Pacific maritime resources. What significance does the Chinese Coast Guard’s role in maintaining safety and stability in the North Pacific hold? Yang Xiao elaborated, “Joint maritime law enforcement itself is a constructive act that maintains regional peace and stability. The cooperation between the Chinese and Russian Coast Guards serves as a model for other countries, highlighting a friendly and constructive approach to maritime law enforcement and contributing positively to regional peace and stability.”
According to publicly available reports from the Chinese Coast Guard, in 2024, there will be a focus on enhancing standardized maritime law enforcement practices. This includes revising and issuing a guiding directory and implementing administrative law enforcement protocols. Furthermore, in 2024, there will be 11 working-level talks and high-level meetings with countries like Cambodia, South Korea, and Peru, alongside two international drills to strengthen bilateral maritime law enforcement cooperation. Additionally, initiatives to protect fishery resources have been launched, culminating in successful enforcement patrols in North Pacific waters.
Yang Xiao remarked, “In recent years, through measures such as seasonal fishing bans, maintaining maritime traffic safety, mitigating marine pollution incidents, and managing environmental degradation, we have upheld our maritime rights lawfully while leading collaborative efforts with neighboring countries and global partners to safeguard the marine ecosystem, collectively tapping into oceanic resources and energy to establish a community with a shared marine destiny.”
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