In an unprecedented move, vessels from China’s Coast Guard (CCG) and Russia’s coast guard will form a task force to patrol the North Pacific Ocean starting this Saturday, marking a significant step in maritime cooperation between the two nations. This task force deployment follows a series of joint drills between the coast guards of both countries that took place over the past week in the waters of Peter the Great Gulf, located in Russia’s Primorsky Region, from Monday to Friday.

According to China Coast Guard authorities, these patrols align with the annual operational plan of the CCG, designed to enhance collaboration in maritime law enforcement and protection of marine resources. The Chinese vessels, Meishan and Xiushan, participated in the exercises alongside Russian counterparts, with the operations conducted in accordance with United Nations (UN) resolutions and international conventions on high seas fisheries and marine biological resource conservation.

The joint patrols, facilitated under the UN General Assembly resolution and the Convention on the Conservation and Management of High Seas Fisheries Resources in the North Pacific Ocean, represent a broader global effort to promote the sustainable use and protection of marine environments. These efforts have garnered international attention, highlighting the growing role of China and Russia in global maritime governance.

Strengthening Maritime Cooperation and Enforcement

This historic collaboration between the Chinese and Russian coast guards is a testament to the deepening ties between the two countries, particularly in the realm of maritime law enforcement. According to reports from China Military Online, the joint drills and the subsequent patrols aim to enhance the operational capabilities of both coast guards, while also promoting a stable and lawful maritime environment.

Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, commented on the significance of the patrols, noting that this cooperation represents a form of law enforcement collaboration between the two nations. “The joint patrols showcase the CCG’s increasing influence on the global stage,” Chen said in an interview with the Global Times. “They also emphasize the CCG’s contributions to maintaining international maritime order and advancing ocean governance.”

Such cooperation serves multiple purposes, including protecting the rights of coastal states, ensuring the safety of maritime traffic, and addressing illegal fishing and environmental concerns. These joint operations are expected to contribute to more effective control and protection of marine resources, while also enhancing the operational coordination between the Chinese and Russian coast guards.

Global Maritime Governance: A New Dimension

The joint patrols are taking place under the framework of international law, specifically the UN General Assembly resolution and the North Pacific fisheries convention, which seek to regulate and conserve marine biological resources. By engaging in these patrols, China and Russia are taking a proactive role in global maritime governance and resource management.

In recent years, China has sought to expand its presence in international waters and enhance its maritime law enforcement capabilities. The establishment of the CCG as a key player in maritime affairs has been a priority for the Chinese government, with its activities extending beyond the waters of the South China Sea to encompass broader international missions.

These joint patrols with Russia represent a new dimension of China’s maritime strategy, as it seeks to position itself as a responsible global maritime actor. The cooperative activities in the North Pacific underscore China’s willingness to work with other nations, particularly Russia, to address common challenges in ocean management and law enforcement.

The North Pacific is a region of strategic importance, not only because of its rich marine resources but also because of its significance in terms of global shipping lanes and geopolitical interests. By conducting joint patrols, China and Russia aim to protect the region’s marine ecosystems while demonstrating their shared commitment to upholding international maritime law.

Joint Patrols

The primary objective of these joint patrols is the conservation of marine biological resources, with an emphasis on promoting sustainable fishing practices and enforcing international fisheries regulations. Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing has been a persistent challenge in the North Pacific, threatening the health of marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

The task force formed by the Chinese and Russian coast guards will focus on monitoring fishing activities, deterring illegal fishing operations, and ensuring compliance with international regulations. In doing so, the patrols will help preserve fish stocks, safeguard biodiversity, and protect the long-term sustainability of the region’s marine resources.

Additionally, the patrols will play a role in enhancing maritime safety and security by conducting regular inspections of vessels operating in the region. This includes verifying that vessels comply with safety standards and ensuring that they adhere to environmental regulations, such as the prevention of pollution from ships.

The joint patrols also aim to foster greater communication and cooperation between the Chinese and Russian coast guards, enhancing their ability to respond to emergencies and enforce maritime law. This collaboration is expected to lead to more effective joint operations in the future, further strengthening the maritime partnership between the two nations.

China and Russia’s Strategic Maritime Partnership

The growing maritime cooperation between China and Russia reflects broader geopolitical trends, as both countries seek to deepen their strategic partnership in response to increasing tensions with Western nations. This collaboration in maritime law enforcement is part of a broader effort to align their interests in various domains, including defense, energy, and trade.

China and Russia have conducted joint military exercises in the past, but this marks the first time their coast guards have engaged in joint patrols in the North Pacific under the framework of international maritime law. The decision to cooperate in this area signals a mutual interest in protecting their maritime interests and contributing to the stability of the region.

Experts believe that this partnership will likely continue to grow, with both countries seeking to strengthen their naval and coast guard capabilities. By working together in the North Pacific, China and Russia are positioning themselves as key players in the global effort to maintain maritime security and promote sustainable development.

The joint patrols also serve to reinforce their respective claims as responsible stakeholders in the international maritime community. Both countries have emphasized the importance of adhering to international law and protecting marine resources, and their actions in the North Pacific align with these stated goals.

Regional and Global Maritime Security

The joint patrols by China and Russia could have significant implications for the broader Asia-Pacific region, particularly in terms of maritime security and resource management. As two of the region’s most powerful nations, their collaboration in law enforcement could influence the behavior of other countries and contribute to shaping regional norms and practices.

For countries that rely on the North Pacific for fishing and other marine resources, the presence of joint Chinese and Russian patrols could be viewed as a stabilizing factor. However, some nations may also express concerns about the implications of this cooperation, particularly in light of the geopolitical dynamics involving China, Russia, and the United States.

The joint patrols come at a time when tensions between China and the United States are high, particularly over issues related to the South China Sea and freedom of navigation operations. While the North Pacific is not as contested as the South China Sea, the involvement of Chinese coast guard vessels in joint operations with Russia could raise concerns about China’s expanding maritime presence and its broader strategic ambitions.

Moreover, Russia’s growing collaboration with China in maritime affairs may be seen as part of its pivot toward Asia, as Moscow seeks to diversify its partnerships amid deteriorating relations with Western countries. By working with China on maritime law enforcement, Russia is signaling its desire to play a more active role in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in areas of mutual interest such as maritime security and resource management.

The joint patrols in the North Pacific represent a new chapter in the maritime cooperation between China and Russia, one that is likely to continue expanding in the years to come. As both countries seek to assert their influence in global maritime governance, their joint efforts will contribute to the development of more effective mechanisms for managing marine resources and enforcing international law.

For the China Coast Guard, these patrols provide an opportunity to demonstrate its growing capabilities and to take on a more prominent role in international maritime affairs. The cooperation with Russia allows the CCG to gain valuable experience in conducting joint operations, while also showcasing its commitment to upholding international standards for ocean governance.

As the task force sets sail for the high seas of the North Pacific, the world will be watching closely to see how this partnership evolves and what impact it will have on the region’s maritime security and environmental sustainability.