The recent China-Russia joint coast guard patrol in the Arctic Ocean for the first time is an important exploration for China to contribute to the future management of Arctic waterways, according to marine policy scholars.
China Coast Guard (CCG) announced Thursday that a formation of its vessels has completed joint drills and patrol missions with Russia's coast guard. CCG vessels Meishan and Xiushan departed on Sept 13 from Zhoushan in east China's Zhejiang Province and returned on Thursday after a journey of 35 days.
Yang Xiao, a marine affairs expert of the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, told China Central Television (CCTV) that Meishan and Xiushan are both of the 3,000-ton class patrol vessels, which are commonly used in international coast guard practices of on-site maritime law enforcement and extended periods of law enforcement presence. He further stressed that such ships play an important role in mid- and long-distance cruises for maritime rights protection.
Experts say the joint patrol which took CCG vessels to the Arctic not only effectively expanded the sailing range of China Coast Guard, but also comprehensively tested the ability of its ships to perform tasks in unfamiliar waters.
"This time we conducted joint patrols with Russia in the Arctic Ocean, on the Arctic waterways. I think this is a breakthrough at sea. The water conditions in this area are quite special. With China being an observer of the Arctic Council and Russia being an Arctic state, the joint patrol between the two countries is also a very important exploration regarding the management of the Arctic waterways, which has great potential in the future," said Chen Xiangmiao, researcher at the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance.
China-Russia joint Arctic patrol conducive to future waterway management: scholar
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
