At around 12:00 BJT on April 6, China's patrol vessel "Haixun 06" arrived in the central Taiwan Straits and started patrol and inspection in the region.

According to the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration, the "Haixun 06" arrived at a location of 25 degrees 24.2 minutes north latitude, and 120 degrees 27.2 minutes east longitude at 12:10 a.m. BJT on Thursday. The vessel inspected the central area of the Taiwan Straits on a route heading from south to north.

China started a three-day joint patrol and inspection in the central and northern parts of the Taiwan Straits from Wednesday to Friday.

Ji Ye, deputy dean of the Graduate Institute for Taiwan Studies of Xiamen University, said in an exclusive interview with CGTN that according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and China's relevant maritime laws and regulations, the waters of the Taiwan Straits, extending from both shores towards the middle of the Straits, are divided into several zones including internal waters, territorial seas, contiguous zone, and the Exclusive Economic Zone.

"So, it is within the scope of China's sovereignty and sovereign rights to conduct regular and routine patrol operations," Ji said. "I think this is a normal step for the Chinese government to exercise its rights."

The patrol vessel will arrive in the northern area of the Straits on Friday.

The Haixun 06, with a displacement of 6,600 tonnes with a full load, has a top speed of 23 knots and a cruising range of 10,000 nautical miles.

It can cruise at sea for 60 days without external supplies, making it suitable for long-range operations.