Chinese, Russian coast guard fleet launches patrol, rescue missions in North Pacific

A formation of China Coast Guard (CCG) Meishan and Xiushan vessels and several Russian coast guard ships has carried out joint law enforcement patrol and emergency handling missions in the high seas of the North Pacific to enhance coordination capabilities and jointly maintain the order of fishery production in the area.

In the exercise of joint damage control and life-saving subject, according to the exercise deployment, the Russian ship suddenly reported a simulated explosion and fire on the rear deck during the cruise, and the CCG Meishan vessel immediately turned and used water cannons to extinguish the fire.

Chinese crew members also took assault boats and boarded Russian ships with firefighting and rescue equipment to put out fire in specific areas and rescue people who fell into the water.

The operation tested the ability to jointly respond to sudden dangerous situations during joint law enforcement patrols, according to CCG official.

"We are patrolling, training and learning all the way. In the future, we have the confidence and ability to complete various tasks, including maintaining the order of fishery production in the high seas of the North Pacific," said Feng Mingming, a CCG officer.

During the joint operation, the fleet boarded and inspected the operating vessels in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly and the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fishery Resources in the North Pacific Ocean, and also conducted joint search and rescue, joint search for illegal vessels and other exercises to further enhance the joint law enforcement capabilities of the Chinese and Russian coast guards.

Horgos Port, a major border junction linking China to Central Asia, handled over 38 million tons of goods in the first ten months of this year, marking a 10 percent year-on-year increase, according to the latest customs data.

Located on the border of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the port has played a pivotal role in the growing development of trade routes between China and Europe.

Data showed that from January to October this year, the main imported goods through the Horgos Port included electromechanical products, agricultural products, food items, and metal ores and sands. Exports mainly included new energy vehicles, electromechanical products, high-tech goods, textiles, and related products.