The recent China-Russia joint coast guard patrol in the Arctic Ocean for the first time is an important exploration for China to contribute to the future management of Arctic waterways, according to marine policy scholars.
China Coast Guard (CCG) announced Thursday that a formation of its vessels has completed joint drills and patrol missions with Russia's coast guard. CCG vessels Meishan and Xiushan departed on Sept 13 from Zhoushan in east China's Zhejiang Province and returned on Thursday after a journey of 35 days.
Yang Xiao, a marine affairs expert of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, told China Central Television (CCTV) that Meishan and Xiushan are both of the 3,000-ton class patrol vessels, which are commonly used in international coast guard practices of on-site maritime law enforcement and extended periods of law enforcement presence. He further stressed that such ships play an important role in mid- and long-distance cruises for maritime rights protection.
Experts say the joint patrol which took CCG vessels to the Arctic not only effectively expanded the sailing range of China Coast Guard, but also comprehensively tested the ability of its ships to perform tasks in unfamiliar waters.
"This time we conducted joint patrols with Russia in the Arctic Ocean, on the Arctic waterways. I think this is a breakthrough at sea. The water conditions in this area are quite special. With China being an observer of the Arctic Council and Russia being an Arctic state, the joint patrol between the two countries is also a very important exploration regarding the management of the Arctic waterways, which has great potential in the future," said Chen Xiangmiao, researcher at the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance.
China-Russia joint Arctic patrol conducive to future waterway management: scholar
