The Vietnamese side is represented by Ships 8004 and 8003, commanded by Senior Colonel Luong Cao Khai, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Coast Guard Region 1, who serves as the chief commander of the Vietnamese joint patrol forces. Lieutenant Colonel Ngo The Trung, Second-in-Command and Chief of Staff of Squadron 11, the Coast Guard Region 1 Command, serves as the formation leader.
The Chinese side deploys Ships 4302 and 4301, led by Senior Colonel Wu Youlin, Deputy Director of the Nanhai Division under the China Coast Guard, as the military commanding officer. Senior Colonel Song Zhongfu, Deputy Political Commissar of the Fourth Affiliated Department of Nanhai Division, serves as the political chief of the Chinese joint patrol force.
    |
 |
|
Senior Colonel Luong Cao Khai welcomes Senior Colonel Wu Youlin and his delegation aboard Ship 8004 to unify patrol plans. |
During the bilateral meeting to finalize the patrol plan, Senior Colonel Luong Cao Khai emphasized that the joint patrol took place in the context of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and China, following the successful state visit to Vietnam by Chinese Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping, and the 9th Vietnam - China Border Defense Friendship Exchange.
“This joint patrol marks an important milestone, clearly demonstrating the strong and enduring relationship between the two nations,” Col. Khai stated.
|
|
 |
|
A view of the bilateral meeting to unify patrol plans |
Reviewing cooperation in 2024, he noted that despite a mix of advantages and challenges, the maritime law enforcement coordination between the two coast guards - particularly between the Coast Guard Region 1 Command of the VCG and the Nanhai Division of the CCG - remained active and achieved commendable results. These included two successful joint patrols in the waters near the Gulf of Tonkin delimitation line; four joint patrols to combat maritime crimes from Point No.1 to Point No.9 along the delimitation line; the successful 4th Vietnam - China Young Coast Guard Officer Exchange Program held in China; and the first Vietnam - China Party and Political Work Exchange Program between the two coast guards in Hanoi in 2024.
“These activities demonstrated our high determination in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the two forces, contributing to a peaceful, stable, friendly, cooperative, and developing maritime area,” he stressed.
|
|
 |
|
The China Coast Guard ship participating in the joint patrol |
For his part, Senior Colonel Wu Youlin expressed his delight at the continued development of joint patrol activities between the two coast guards. He highlighted the importance of this patrol amid the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the bilateral relations and noted that it provided an excellent opportunity for both sides to exchange experiences and strengthen mutual understanding. He expressed confidence that this patrol would be a great success.
During this mission, the two coast guard forces are going to patrol 13 checkpoints (from Point No.21 to Point No.9) along the Gulf of Tonkin delimitation line, covering a total distance of 255.5 nautical miles. In addition to meetings and consultations, the two sides are expected to inspect and supervise fishing vessels operating in the adjacent waters. Notably, this joint patrol includes a new element: a coordinated search and rescue drill.
|
|
 |
|
Senior Colonel Luong Cao Khai in a phone discussion with the China Coast Guard forces |
After an exchange of formal greetings, the joint patrol officially began. The patrol is conducted in parallel column formations on either side of the delimitation line, maintaining a distance of 0.5 nautical miles between ships and patrol groups. On April 22, China’s Ship 4302 took the lead in commanding the joint patrol formation.
Translated by Trung Thanh