The first joint patrol of the China-Vietnam Coast Guard in the Gulf of Tonkin in 2026 has been successfully completed.

In order to continuously deepen and expand the maritime cooperation between China and Vietnam's coast guards, enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement cooperation, jointly maintain the security and stability of the Gulf of Tonkin and the order of fishery production, and promote friendly exchanges and cooperation between the coast guards of China and Vietnam, from April 22 to 24, the China Coast Guard vessel formation 4303 conducted the first joint patrol in the Gulf of Tonkin in 2026 with the Vietnam Coast Guard vessel formation 8004. This also marks the 30th joint patrol conducted by the maritime law enforcement agencies of China and Vietnam since 2006.

The China and Vietnam coast guard vessel formations patrolled from south to north along the maritime boundary line in the Gulf of Tonkin according to the established plan and route, inspecting and supervising the operational vessels of both countries, and conducting public education for fishermen. They patrolled for a total of 54 hours over 255.5 nautical miles, observing and recording 5 fishing vessels, with the overall order of maritime production operations being good; during this period, both sides also organized exchanges on law enforcement operations and shared law enforcement experiences, achieving the expected results in their joint actions.

The joint patrol of the China and Vietnam coast guards in the Gulf of Tonkin is a concrete measure to implement the important consensus reached by the two parties and two countries on deepening maritime law enforcement cooperation. It further demonstrates the strong determination of the China and Vietnam coast guards to implement the important consensus of the leaders of both parties and countries. This has become a model for maritime law enforcement cooperation in the South China Sea, playing a positive role in protecting the fishery resources of the Gulf of Tonkin, maintaining the order of fishery production, jointly combating maritime illegal activities, and maintaining regional security and stability. The China Coast Guard will take this opportunity to continue strengthening communication and exchanges with the Vietnam Coast Guard, deepen practical cooperation, properly handle maritime emergencies, and play a positive role in jointly maintaining maritime security and stability, and building a higher-level, strategically significant China-Vietnam community of shared destiny.