Campaign marks five years of Coast Guard Law

The China Coast Guard has launched a weeklong campaign to mark the fifth anniversary of the implementation of China's Coast Guard Law with activities across coastal regions promoting understanding of maritime regulations among fishermen, maritime workers and the public.

The campaign, which began on July 6, highlights the law alongside newly revised regulations including the Fisheries Law. Through outreach at coastal communities, ports and maritime enterprises, the initiative aims to deepen public understanding of ocean protection and strengthen community participation in maritime security.

For officers on the front lines, the law has provided crucial legal clarity in an increasingly complex maritime environment.

"Our functions are similar to public security, but our jurisdiction is the sea," said Li Yudi, a six-year veteran and deputy station chief at the Sanjia work station under the Pudong coast guard in Shanghai. "We handle everything from public security cases and environmental infractions to fisheries violations, smuggling and maritime safety."

Li's bureau patrols the East China Sea gateway, a critical, high-traffic zone where the Yangtze River estuary meets international shipping lanes. The jurisdiction handles vessels from more than 120 countries and regions, with annual traffic exceeding 60,000 ships. During peak shipping seasons, foreign vessels account for over 65 percent of the traffic.

Since 2021, the Shanghai coast guard alone has responded to more than 2,300 incidents and conducted over 100 maritime rescue operations. The bureau has apprehended over 4,700 criminal suspects, dismantled more than 30 criminal networks and seized over 500,000 metric tons of contraband, including coal, marine sand, refined oil and fishery products, with total case values reaching approximately 1.61 billion yuan ($236.8 million).

Among them, a 2023 oil smuggling investigation illustrates the CCG's evolving approach to international cases. Officers discovered a domestic vessel carrying over 100 tons of fuel oil at the Yangtze River anchorage that had been illegally siphoned from a Vietnamese cargo ship without customs clearance. The case marked Shanghai's first foreign-related criminal prosecution and the first economic crime involving foreign nationals under the CCG jurisdiction.

Throughout the process, officers adhered strictly to the law while maintaining humanitarian standards. They immediately notified the relevant foreign consulate, ensuring that the suspects' legal rights to consular visits and legal representation were protected.

"We contacted their families through lawyers and translators and shared video messages," Li recalled. "Seeing their families moved the suspects to cooperate, leading to a full confession." Two foreign crew members ultimately received 11-month prison sentences for embezzlement before being repatriated in 2025.

The law establishes a comprehensive framework for such international engagement, authorizing law enforcement actions — including identity verification, boarding inspections and forced removal — against foreign vessels and individuals within China's maritime jurisdiction, while maintaining full compliance with international treaty obligations.

Bao Guangzheng, an enforcement officer at the same station, said the CCG has developed standardized procedures for handling cases involving foreign nationals, including joint investigations with foreign authorities.

In another case involving Republic of Korea nationals, Chinese officers conducted the initial investigation before coordinating with ROK authorities, who gathered supplementary evidence to shape the final legal disposition.

"Handling foreign cases is inherently complex due to language barriers and cultural differences," Bao said. "But the law gives us clear guidance and the confidence to act professionally."

Bridging role

Beyond bilateral cooperation, the CCG has expanded participation in multilateral forums. Zhu Tianjing, an enforcement officer who participated in the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum last year, found that China increasingly plays a bridging role in regional maritime governance.

The forum addressed issues ranging from fisheries enforcement and maritime safety to emergency response, criminal activity, and marine environmental protection. China's presentations on resource conservation initiatives received significant attention from international counterparts, Zhu noted.

"We facilitate equal exchanges and promote practical cooperation in joint operations, emergency response, and combating maritime crime," she said, noting that future priorities include ensuring cooperation agreements reach practical implementation, maintaining regular multilateral communication, and promoting the concept of a maritime community with a shared future.

Back on the coast, the law is also taking root through grassroots soft power. The Pudong coast guard has established the Anlan service team, composed entirely of female officers who specialize in approachable public education.

They regularly visit schools and ports, particularly during critical periods like the summer fishing moratorium. They also board foreign cargo vessels, where their multilingual capabilities, including English, Italian, and Japanese, help bridge communication gaps in Shanghai's cosmopolitan waters.

"The law defines both our enforcement powers and the rights that foreign nationals and vessels enjoy in China," said team member Wang Xinyi. "It is a manual for us to fulfill our duties, and a shield to protect the legitimate interests of everyone at sea."

zhengzheng@chinadaily.com.cn