Consensus on tackling maritime challenges

Amid increasingly diverse regional maritime challenges, delegates from Asian coast guard agencies reached a broad consensus on strengthening multilateral law enforcement cooperation to safeguard maritime security.

The consensus was reached at the conclusion of the 22nd Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting Working Level Meeting on Wednesday in Quanzhou, Fujian province.

Hosted by the China Coast Guard, the four-day event brought together more than 50 foreign delegates from 18 countries and regions, as well as representatives from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre, to discuss ways to address maritime security threats.

Summarizing the meeting's achievements, Zhang Jianzhong, head of the Chinese delegation and director-general of the China Coast Guard's law enforcement department, said discussions focused on maritime security trends, search and rescue operations, and environmental protection.

All parties expressed willingness to deepen communication, enhance joint law enforcement capabilities, expand blue partnerships, and promote universal security, Zhang said.

Liu Zhixu, head of the China Coast Guard's international cooperation division, said the meeting remains the most influential multilateral maritime law enforcement cooperation mechanism in the pan-Asia-Pacific region and serves as an important platform for the China Coast Guard to participate in global and regional ocean governance.

As an active practitioner of the Global Security Initiative, the China Coast Guard advocates practical cooperation to turn regional law enforcement visions into reality, Liu said.

By hosting the event, China shared its experience in combating maritime crimes and advancing law enforcement related to marine carbon sinks, offering Chinese solutions for sustainable maritime development, he added.

Fu Yanxiao, deputy head of the China Coast Guard's criminal investigation division, said participants focused on transnational maritime risks and explored ways to establish an expert consultation mechanism.

The meeting also introduced maritime counterterrorism cooperation arrangements and invited member agencies to explore pathways for preventing and combating maritime terrorist activities, he said.

In addition to working group sessions on maritime search and rescue, environmental protection, information sharing and joint exercises, the event also facilitated a series of bilateral talks among member agencies.

Pongsak Somboon, deputy secretary-general of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center, said the Thai delegation held bilateral talks with the China Coast Guard to enhance cooperation in training and law enforcement. "We share the same goal, and we want to help each other improve maritime capabilities," he said.

The event also highlighted Quanzhou's heritage as a historic Maritime Silk Road hub. Delegates visited the Quanzhou Maritime Museum to learn about China's ancient maritime trade and shipping history.

zhangyi1@chinadaily.com.cn