High time for sea change

As part of the government restructuring plan released on Sunday, China will bring its maritime law enforcement forces under the unified management of one single administration, which will retain the name the State Oceanic Administration. This is an important step for China to better safeguard its maritime interests and achieve the goal of becoming a maritime power.

At present, China has five maritime law enforcement agencies: the Marine Surveillance of the State Oceanic Administration, the Coast Guard of the Public Security Ministry, the Maritime Safety Administration of the Transport Ministry, the Fisheries Law Enforcement Command of the Agriculture Ministry, and General Administration of Customs. They are often referred to as the "Five Dragons".

Though the Five Dragons have been playing an important role in safeguarding China's maritime rights, it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to handle unexpected crises and their functions have been hampered because they have no unified management. Upgrading the State Oceanic Administration will enable it to do the overall planning for national oceanic affairs and improve the nation's administration of its maritime territory.