China's maritime safety authorities carried out their first emergency search-and-rescue drills on Saturday 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 conducted law-enforcement operations.

According to the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration, the drills were intended 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.