China Coast Guard establishes new model of integrated sea-air law enforcement

China

China Coast Guard establishes new model of integrated sea-air law enforcement

2025-05-04 17:24 Last Updated At：21:37

In response to a Japanese civilian aircraft unlawfully entering China's airspace over Diaoyu Dao on Saturday morning, the China Coast Guard (CCG) dispatched a shipborne helicopter to issue a warning and drive the aircraft away, demonstrating a new model of integrated sea-air law enforcement over Diaoyu Dao, according to experts.

The entire operation was completed in just five minutes, highlighting the high efficiency of the CCG's coordinated sea-air law enforcement efforts, experts noted.

On Saturday, while CCG vessels were conducting a routine patrol in the waters surrounding the Diaoyu Dao in accordance with the law, a Japanese civilian aircraft illegally entered China's airspace over Diaoyu Dao at 11:19 and exited at 11:24. In response, the CCG promptly implemented necessary control measures and deployed a shipborne helicopter to issue a warning and expel the aircraft, CCG spokesperson Liu Dejun said in a statement.

In a special interview event in Beijing in January, Zhang Jianming, head of the CCG's law enforcement department, briefed the media on their efforts to improve law enforcement capabilities of integrated sea-air patrols.

"We have strengthened law enforcement capabilities of our ship-aircraft forces in recent years, with a focus on low-altitude patrols, personnel deployment, and coordinated ship-aircraft operations. We have now formed an initial system of coordinated law enforcement between ships and aircraft, as well as a new model of remote land-sea operations," said Zhang.

"The CCG will further refine our aerial and maritime patrol model, enhance our ability to safeguard national sovereignty, territorial integrity as well as maritime rights and interests, and better participate in international ocean governance," he added.

Yang Xiao, a marine Expert at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, emphasized that the integration of aerial forces marks a breakthrough in the speed, strength, and scope of CCG's law enforcement operations.

He said that the deployment of helicopters and patrol aircraft has not only strengthened surveillance and enforcement in key areas, but also created a formidable deterrent, effectively curbing provocative actions and effectively controlling the situation on the spot.

This sends a clear signal that China possesses both the capability and unwavering resolve to safeguard its national sovereignty, territorial integrity as well maritime rights and interests. Any infringement on China's maritime rights and interests will be met with resolute countermeasures, Yang added.

Venezuelan acting president calls for national unity amid complex situation

Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez said on Sunday that the country is at a critical stage and must achieve national unity, emphasizing that maintaining internal cohesion is of utmost importance.

In a televised address, Rodriguez called on the public to continue trusting the government under the current highly complex political circumstances.

Her statement comes in the wake of a January 3 military operation conducted by the United States, during which Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife were taken into custody and flown out of the country.

The operation resulted in at least 100 fatalities.

Rodriguez, who was sworn in as acting president two days later on January 5, framed her appeal for unity against this backdrop of external intervention.

Meanwhile, Venezuelan Minister of Communication and Information Freddy Nanez denounced the U.S. actions as a "war crime of the 21st century" when speaking at an international cultural event on Sunday.

Nanez condemned not only the January 3 airstrikes but also the associated cyber and electromagnetic attacks.

He accused the United States of violating international law through the forced removal of President Maduro and his wife, while attacks on civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities, represent a flagrant breach of humanitarian norms.

He reiterated that the stigmatization and military attacks against Venezuela are driven by economic interests, particularly the desire to control its abundant natural resources.