MK sports Korea 2024 shows vessels of the China Coast Guard (CCG) sailing during a training in the South China Sea. The CCG conducted a regular training during operations of rights protection and law enforcement in the waters of Huangyan Dao. Photo: Xinhua" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2024/2024-05-16/6b2c5f95-f78e-43e8-8ca4-28475de550f9.jpeg" />

An aerial drone photo taken on May 12, 2024 shows vessels of the China Coast Guard (CCG) sailing during a training in the South China Sea. The CCG conducted a regular training during operations of rights protection and law enforcement in the waters of Huangyan Dao. Photo: Xinhua

At the beginning of this year, the China Coast Guard (CCG) released a video for its training mobilization for 2025. In addition to various types of CCG vessels, the patrol aircraft and shipborne helicopters featured prominently. Zhang Jianming, head of the law enforcement department of the CCG, said that the CCG has developed initial capabilities for coordinated ship-aircraft law enforcement and remote joint operations, during an interview event on maritime law enforcement held by the CCG on Sunday. 

In 2024, the CCG dispatched patrol aircraft and shipborne helicopters to conduct law enforcement operations in waters surrounding the Xisha Qundao and Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, Zhang revealed.

"China's Coast Guard Law authorizes the CCG to conduct law enforcement activities to protect rights in the maritime areas under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China and in the airspace above them," Zhang said. In recent years, the CCG has enhanced its aviation law enforcement capabilities, focusing on low-altitude patrols, personnel deployment, and ship-aircraft joint operations, said Zhang.

"Currently, the CCG has established initial capabilities for ship-aircraft coordination and remote joint enforcement. This capability has been widely practiced across various levels of the CCG, and the new model has greatly improved the CCG's enforcement efficiency and effectiveness" said Zhang.

Zhang said that in 2024, the CCG for the first time deployed helicopter with CCG vessel formation to the Pacific and Arctic Oceans for 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 Qundao and Huangyan Dao. So far, this patrol model has proven to be very effective, significantly enhancing the overall law enforcement capabilities of the CCG, Zhang noted.

The CCG will continue to strengthen the capabilities of its diverse law enforcement teams, particularly by refining its aerial and maritime coordination model, thereby increasing the CCG's ability to safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, and actively engage in international maritime governance, Zhang said.