A fleet of China Coast Guard vessels set sail on Monday to conduct joint patrols in the Beibu Gulf with a fleet of Vietnam Coast Guard vessels, the CCG announced on Monday.

This will be the second joint patrol of the year in the region and marks the 28th joint patrol carried out by maritime law enforcement agencies of China and Vietnam since 2006, according to a news release by the CCG.

During the joint patrol, the two sides will enforce regulations on the operations of fishing vessels in the Beibu Gulf, engage in professional exchanges on combating maritime smuggling and other illegal activities, the statement said.

The patrol aims to regulate fishing operations, effectively handle maritime emergencies, and jointly maintain stability at sea, it added.