CMSI Archive Translation: An Unforgettable Maritime Contest in the East China Sea: A Partial Account of the Rights Protection/Law Enforcement Operation Following an Incident Involving the Sinking of an Unidentified Foreign Vessel in the East China Sea

Authors

Liu Zhendong

Abstract

This article recounts a 9-month rights protection/law enforcement (维权执法) operation in China's EEZ by China Marine Surveillance (CMS) in 2002, following an incident involving Japan. The operation established the position of CMS as a representative implementer of government functions. Despite significant equipment disparity, CMS successfully asserted China's sovereign rights and jurisdictional rights over the area, compelling Japan to eventually submit to CMS supervision (监管) of its salvage operations. CMS achieved breakthroughs by seizing opportunities, such as collecting evidence on an oil slick or responding to a Chinese fishing vessel, to breach Japan's security perimeter and conduct on-site monitoring.

Recommended Citation

Liu Zhendong (2026) "CMSI Archive Translation: An Unforgettable Maritime Contest in the East China Sea: A Partial Account of the Rights Protection/Law Enforcement Operation Following an Incident Involving the Sinking of an Unidentified Foreign Vessel in the East China Sea," CMSI Quarterly Review: Vol. 1: No. 3, Article 17.
Available at: https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cmsi-quarterly-review/vol1/iss3/17