In the light of the consensus reached between China Coast Guard (CCG) and Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) at their third working meeting, from April 21 to 23, 2020, CCG Vessels 4302 and 4204 and VCG Vessels 8003 and 8004 conducted the first joint fishery patrol of 2020 on the two countries’ shared fishing grounds in the Beibu Gulf. The cumulative time spent on this patrol was 50.5 hours and the cruise totaled 220 nautical miles, during which 1 Chinese fishing ship and 20 Vietnamese fishing ships were observed and recorded. During the operation, both CCG and VCG vessels followed the agreed plans and routes. They observed and recorded the fishing ships of the two countries passing through the waters, carried out publicity and education works for the people on the fishing ships, and maintained the order for maritime production. 

Since its launch in 2006, the China-Vietnam joint fishery patrols on shared fishing grounds in the Beibu Gulf have promoted the exchanges and cooperation between the maritime law enforcement teams of the two countries and played an important role in maintaining the order for maritime production in the region. In the next step, CCG and VCG are going to further strengthen their exchanges and cooperation under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Enhancing Cooperation Between China Coast Guard and Vietnam Coast Guard, and jointly maintain the security and stability of the Beibu Gulf waters.