China, Vietnam conduct fourth joint patrol in northern Gulf of Tonkin

The activity is designed to boost coordination in combating crimes and legal violations at sea, particularly during the year-end period.

The joint patrol, spanning from Point 1 to Point 9 along the demarcation line of the Gulf of Tonkin, covered a distance of 120 nautical miles. This zone is crucial for exports, imports and goods exchange between Vietnam and China, but it is also abused for smuggling, trade fraud, illegal transportation of goods, and unauthorized border crossings by sea.

The VCG played a proactive role in public awareness raising efforts, informing dozens of fishing vessels from both nations about the importance of complying with regulations against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing so as to help with having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted and driving the sustainable development of Vietnam's fisheries sector.

A day earlier, the VCG released 10 containers of juvenile grouper into the bordering waters as part of efforts to enrich marine resources.

Commencing in 2024, joint patrols in the bordering waters is conducted quarterly by the coast guard forces of Vietnam and China in a bid maintain security and order while ensuring legal compliance among citizens of both countries.