Patrol ships trawl for disorder in Beibu Gulf

Eight patrol ships from three provinces that border the Beibu Gulf in South China set off this week for their annual fishery watch.

The inspection is part of a regular tour of duty that has been carried out each year since 2004, said the coastal armed police.

The patrol aims to protect Chinese fishermen and stop illegal fishing in the 128,000 sq km Beibu Gulf, which is shared by China and Vietnam.