China Coast Guard conducts law enforcement drills near Huangyan Dao

China Coast Guard (CCG) on Saturday conducted drills on rights-protection law enforcement, as well as management and control in the waters near China's Huangyan Dao.

The drills focused on operations such as visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), interdiction of forced entry, and forced towing, aiming to enhance the units' rapid‑response and emergency handling capabilities.

A CCG formation, including vessels such as the Dong'an, Daji, and Ganquan, mobilized to the designated operational area in response to simulated threats. The drill simulated multiple foreign vessels attempting to breach the waters near Huangyan Dao.

Upon receiving the simulated threat report, the commander ordered an immediate advance to assess the situation and issue warnings. When the simulated intruders ignored directions and continued their approach, CCG interceptors moved to block and contain them. Smaller boats were deployed to conduct boarding maneuvers, successfully taking control of the mock vessels.

In a subsequent phase, the drills simulated a coordinated follow-up incursion by foreign government vessels and small boats. The CCG swiftly repositioned, established defensive barriers, and executed a synchronized response by using water cannons, pushing and squeezing tactics, and adopting mobile interdiction strategies to force the intruding flotilla to retreat.

"The drills demonstrated effective coordination among multiple vessels and validated our capacity to respond swiftly and manage contingencies in complex maritime environments. This enhances our operational readiness for sustained law enforcement patrols near Huangyan Dao," said Hu Weikang, a law enforcement officer aboard the Dong'an.

The CCG affirmed its commitment to regular patrols and inspections in the territorial waters, intensifying their efforts to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

"Huangyan Dao is an inherent part of China's territory. We will remain on high alert at all times, resolutely counter any acts of infringement and provocation, and firmly thwart all illegal schemes. Through concrete actions, we will safeguard this 'ancestral sea'," said Jiang Ke, another officer on the Dong'an.

China Coast Guard conducts law enforcement drills near Huangyan Dao

Chinese crested terns, one of the world's rarest seabird species, have been recorded in coastal wetlands in Nantong, east China's Jiangsu Province, for a seventh consecutive year.

Bird photographers captured images of the critically endangered birds on July 23 and 24, with sightings this season reported to be more frequent than in previous years.

With a global population of just over 200, the Chinese crested tern is under China's highest level of national protection. Its rarity and elusive nature have earned it the nickname "the mythical bird" in the country.

The species breeds mainly on uninhabited islands off the coasts of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces in east China. Between July and September, some birds stop in Nantong's coastal wetlands to rest and feed during their seasonal migration.

The repeated sightings underline the role of Nantong's wetlands as a stopover site for rare migratory birds, as Jiangsu continues efforts to restore wetland habitats.

Rare Chinese crested terns return to east China wetland for seventh year