It reported directly to the Imperial General Headquarters and had the same organizational level as the Combined Fleet.

The 3rd China Expeditionary Fleet was specialization to guard unit for Qingdao and become extinct.

The Southern Qing Fleet (南清艦隊, Nanshin Kantai) was organized after the Russo-Japanese War.

They were reinforced by Xinhai Revolution in 1911, however, Beiyang Government declared neutrality in World War I.

All gunboats were detained, and Southern Qing Fleet became extinct before long.