Chinese vessels set off for North Pacific to monitor fishing

Two China Coast Guard vessels departed from Qingdao, Shandong province, on Friday, embarking on a 45-day fisheries law enforcement patrol in the North Pacific.

According to a news release from the coast guard, this patrol in the high seas of the North Pacific demonstrates China's commitment to fulfilling its international obligations and showcases the nation's image as a responsible major power.

It said that the China Coast Guard dispatches two vessels annually for this mission, noting that this marks the ninth such patrol and the fifth time since China obtained the authority to conduct boarding and inspections of fishing vessels in the North Pacific high seas.

In recent years, the coast guard has actively organized high seas boarding and inspections, playing a significant role in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities, according to the release.

These efforts are crucial for maintaining order in high seas fisheries and promoting the sustainable development of fishery resources, it said.