By outdoor-nature-child.com On October 17, news from the China Coast Guard’s official WeChat account announced that their maritime fleet, consisting of the Meishan and Xiushan ships, successfully completed the “Pacific Patrol – 2024” joint maritime exercise with Russia and returned to port.
Around 10 a.m., the Meishan and Xiushan vessels docked at the harbor, where the Second Bureau of the China Coast Guard held a formal welcome ceremony to celebrate the fleet’s return.
The fleet set sail from Zhoushan on September 13, traversing the Sea of Japan, the Sea of Okhotsk, the Bering Sea, and the Chukchi Sea before entering the Arctic Ocean, before making their way back to Zhoushan on October 17. Over the course of 35 days, the two ships covered a distance of over 17,000 nautical miles and accumulated more than 1,200 hours at sea, effectively fulfilling all objectives of the “Pacific Patrol – 2024” joint exercise. This mission is part of the China Coast Guard’s annual operational plan and is not aimed at any specific target, region, or country. It adheres to international law and practices and is not related to the current international or regional situation.
From September 16 to 20, both countries engaged in a series of activities including ship open days, deck receptions, and cultural exchanges. They conducted joint exercises in the waters near Russia’s Peter the Great Bay, focusing on search and rescue operations, intercepting and inspecting suspected criminal vessels, and providing assistance to distressed ships.
After transitioning into the joint patrol phase on September 21, the crews worked efficiently together to implement the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 46/215 and the provisions of the “Convention on the Conservation and Management of Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean.” For the first time, the vessels formed a team to engage in joint patrols in the high seas of the North Pacific, conducting inspections and maintaining order in fisheries production. They also successfully completed joint search and rescue, damage control, and enforcement actions against illegal vessels during this period.
The joint maritime exercise between China and Russia holds significant importance for strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era, deepening mutual trust and cooperation between the two coast guards, and maintaining security and stability in the North Pacific region.
Looking ahead, the China Coast Guard intends to actively pursue practical bilateral and multilateral maritime law enforcement cooperation, participate in international and regional ocean governance, fulfill its international obligations, and demonstrate its commitment as a major global player.