Maritime law enforcement agencies in the People's Republic of China

The People's Republic of China (PRC) operates several separate maritime law enforcement agencies. These services operate ships as well as their own small aviation units to assist their maritime patrol capabilities.

Services

Coast Guard

Emblem of the China Coast Guard

The China Coast Guard (CCG; simplified Chinese: 中国海警) is the maritime branch of the Public Security Border Troops, a paramilitary police force under the leadership of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). It is staffed by People’s Armed Police personnel and, as of 2009, consists of twenty regimental-level flotillas.^[1]

CCG ships are named "Haijing-XX", where XX is a number.^[2]

Maritime Safety Administration

The China Maritime Safety Administration (Chinese: 中国海事局) is a government agency which coordinates maritime search and rescue in the territorial waters of the PRC. The CMSA is part of the Ministry of Transport.

MSA ships are named "Haixun-XX" or "Haibiao-XX", where XX is a number.^[2]

Marine Surveillance

The China Marine Surveillance (CMS) was created on 19 October 1998 as a paramilitary maritime law enforcement agency under the auspices of the PRC's State Oceanic Administration. It is responsible for law enforcement within the PRC's territorial waters, exclusive economic zones (EEZ), and shores. It is also charged with protecting the maritime environment, natural resources, navigation aids and other facilities, and can carry out maritime surveys. In emergencies, it also engages in search and rescue missions.^[3]

According to a 2008 report in China Daily, CMS operates nine aircraft and more than 200 patrol vessels. CMS ships are named "Haijian-XX", where XX is a number.^[2]

Fisheries Law Enforcement Command

The China Fisheries Law Enforcement Command (FLEC) is an organ of the Fisheries Management Bureau under the Ministry of Agriculture. It is responsible for the enforcement of laws concerning fishing and maritime resources in PRC territorial waters and exclusive economic zones (EEZ). It is charged with protecting Chinese fishing vessels and personnel, resolving disputes in fishing activities, preventing illegal fishing, and protecting maritime resources.^[4]

FLEC cutters are named "Yuzheng-XX", where XX is a number.^[2]

Customs

The PRC's General Administration of Customs operates a maritime anti-smuggling force. Its ships are named "Haiguan-XX", where XX is a number.^[2]

References

1. ^ "China Coast Guard". sinodefence.com. http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/coastguard/default.asp. Retrieved 22 August 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} Feng (21 August 2010). "A more indepth look at Chinese maritime law enforcement". Information Dissemination. http://www.informationdissemination.net/2010/08/more-indepth-look-at-chinese-maritime.html. Retrieved 22 August 2010. 
3. ^ "China Marine Surveillance (CMS)". sinodefence.com. http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/marine-surveillance/default.asp. Retrieved 22 August 2010. 
4. ^ "China Fisheries Law Enforcement Command (FLEC)". sinodefence.com. http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/fisheries/fisheries-law-enforcement.asp. Retrieved 22 August 2010.