On December 6, China's maritime safety authorities conducted their first emergency search-and-rescue drills in the Taiwan Shoal, located in the southern section of the Taiwan Strait. After the exercise, a formation of rescue vessels patrolled the central Strait and carried out law-enforcement operations.

According to the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration, the drills were designed to strengthen maritime administrative law enforcement, improve traffic regulation across the Strait, safeguard navigation order, enhance vessel safety and reduce pollution risks from maritime traffic.

(Cover: A fire extinguishing drill on a merchant vessel. /Xinhua)