[8][9] In June 2024, a domestic regulation came into force empowering the CCG to detain foreign vessels and persons up to 60 days.

[10] The CCG duty is to perform regular patrols and reactive actions (such as Search and Rescue) on the coastal, near sea, and open ocean areas of its jurisdiction (and international waters).

These actions include principally law enforcement tasks such as interdicting smuggling, illegal fisheries control, and protecting the environment (such as stopping coral fishing and pollutant dumping).

As a constituent part of the Chinese Armed Forces (being subordinate to the PAP), on wartime it would be placed under the operational control of the People's Liberation Army Navy, in which case it would be likely to play support roles and rear-area escort (like its USCG counterparts, which is also a branch of the military, its ships are not equipped for full military combat).

[15] It also supports the CMSA in enforcing maritime safety rules and inspect ships suspected of presenting risks to navigation.

The frequency of that cooperation often correlates with the state of bilateral relationships, but institutional connections do remain continuously active.

[citation needed] As China's claims of sovereign waters are extensive and overlap with several other countries, enforcing this doctrine has created a very large number of incidents and controversies involving the CCG.

[23] In 2019, the United States issued a warning to China over aggressive and unsafe action by their Coast Guard and maritime militia.

The largest ship in Chinese Border Patrol Maritime Police service was the 1,500 ton Type 718 cutter (31101 Pudong).

1123 in USI numbers), later renumbered 5901, to patrol its claimed islands in the disputed South China Sea.

[40] Between mid 2021 and January 2023, the Coast Guard received 22 coastal defense Type 056 corvettes transferred from the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.