During the National Day holidays, a formation of China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels arrived in the Arctic Ocean for joint patrols with the Russian coast guard, marking the first time CCG vessels have entered the Arctic Ocean.
The first entry of CCG vessels into the Arctic Ocean has significantly expanded the CCG's operational range in the ocean, tested the vessels' ability to carry out missions in unfamiliar maritime areas, bolstered its participation in international and regional maritime governance, the CCG said in a statement on Wednesday.
On September 21, Chinese and Russian coast guard vessels began joint patrols in the North Pacific.
The coast guards conducted law enforcement inspections on fishing vessels operating in the region, in accordance with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 46/215 and the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean, Xinhua reported.
The operation aimed to maintain order in high-seas fisheries. During the mission, the vessels also conducted joint exercises in search and rescue, damage control and locating illegal vessels, demonstrating the strong collaborative capabilities of the two coast guards.