China undertook a three-day joint patrol operation and inspection in central and northern parts of the Taiwan Straits from April 5 to 7, 2023. /Fujian Maritime Safety Administration
A three-day joint patrol operation led by the Chinese mainland vessel "Haixun 06" has further smoothed the shipping environment in the Taiwan Straits, the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration (FMSA) said on Friday.
The operation, from April 5 to 7, inspected the central and northern parts of the Taiwan Straits.
The operation cracked down on illegal sand mining at night, and guarded a passenger ship belonging to the so-called "mini three links," according to the FMSA.
The "mini three links" refer to direct trade, postal and transport services which were launched on January 1, 2001, between Kinmen and Matsu, two islands attached to Taiwan, and Fujian, a coastal province on the Chinese mainland.
A joint patrol operation cracks down on illegal sand mining around Matsu Islands, April 7, 2023. /Fujian Maritime Safety Administration
The administration said that "Haixun 06" has cruised a total of 410 nautical miles since the operation started.
It inspected container routes of direct shipping from the mainland's Pingtan to Taiwan region, passenger routes of the "mini-three links," customary shipping routes in Taiwan Straits, and some waters where commercial and fishing vessels often concentrate and illegal sand mining activities often occur, according to the FMSA.