The Chinese and Vietnamese coast guards conducted their first joint patrol of 2026 in the Beibu Gulf from April 22 to 24. This marked the 30th joint patrol since 2006. The China Coast Guard 4303 flotilla and Vietnam Coast Guard 8004 flotilla patrolled 255.5 nautical miles, inspecting vessels, educating fishermen and logging 54 hours of patrol. The operation, which included law-enforcement exchanges and sharing professional experiences, achieved its intended goals.