PANO – The four-day joint patrol between the Vietnamese and Chinese Coast Guards in the waters adjacent to the Gulf of Tonkin demarcation line was wrapped up on April 13.

This was the first time that commanders of the coast guard forces of the two countries commanded the joint patrol. Under the co-command of Commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard Major General Le Quang Dao and Chief of the China Coast Guard Major General Yu Zhong, Ships 8004 and 8003 of the Vietnam Coast Guard and Ships 4304 and 4202 of the China Coast Guard patrolled 13 locations in the waters adjacent to the Gulf of Tonkin delimitation line with a distance of 255.5 nautical miles, from the Northeast of Con Co Island (Vietnam) to the Southeast of Tran Island (Vietnam).

During the patrol, Major General Yu Zhong boarded ship CSB 8004 and had talks with Major General Le Quang Dao. Major General Le Quang Dao and the delegation of the Vietnam Coast Guard got on China’s ship 4304 to review the patrol.

During the meetings, the two sides agreed that this was a model patrol. They also shared information and discussed measures to further strengthen cooperation between coast guard forces of the two countries; ensure maritime security and safety; build the waters of peace, cooperation and development; protect marine ecosystem; create favorable conditions for fishermen of the two countries to fish at sea; ensure defense and security in each country.

On this occasion, the Commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard invited representatives of forces in nine coastal provinces (from Quang Ninh to Quang Binh) to join the patrol to have practical experience. He expected that the forces will work with the Vietnam Coast Guard to foster dissemination of law to fishermen, thus encouraging them to strictly observe the law and not to encroach upon foreign waters for illegal fishing. 

Below are photos of the patrol.

Translated by Tran Hoai