Large patrol vessel keeps Strait safe

Editor's note: The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China set out a blueprint for China's path to modernization, with the aim of guiding the development of people from all walks of life in the new era and contributing positively to global progress. Throughout the year, China Daily will run a series of picture stories that highlight important milestones on this journey. In this eighth installment, we will focus on the first large search and patrol vessel deployed by China in the Taiwan Strait.

The Haixun 06 is the first large search and patrol vessel deployed by China in the Taiwan Strait. Since being put into service in Pingtan, Fujian province, in July last year, it has improved maritime management and emergency support capabilities in the Strait.

With a length of 128 meters and a width of 16 meters, the Haixun 06 has a maximum displacement of 6,600 metric tons and can reach a top speed of 23 knots, about 43 kilometers per hour. It has a cruising range of 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 km) and can stay at sea for 60 days without resupply, making it China's largest and most capable law enforcement vessel in the Taiwan Strait.

The Strait has always been a key transport hub in southeastern China and an important maritime passage connecting the Korean Peninsula, Japan, Southeast Asian countries and China's Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan regions. Nearly 3,000 ships pass through the Strait every day. Due to the busy traffic and the impact of dense fog in spring, typhoons in summer and strong winds in winter, accidents are inevitable every year.

Cao Guangtong, the captain of the Haixun 06, said: "Since starting service, the Haixun 06 has greatly enhanced the country's capabilities to deal with various maritime accidents through patrols with other ships and special inspection operations, and strengthened maritime law enforcement in the Taiwan Strait."