Maritime law enforcement agencies in China

China operates several separate maritime law enforcement agencies. These services operate ships as well as their own small aviation units to assist their maritime patrol capabilities. These agencies are often referred to as the "Five Dragons". In March 2013, China announced it shall modify a unified Coast Guard commanded by the State Oceanic Administration.

Coast Guard
The China Coast Guard (CCG; simplified Chinese: 中国海警) is the maritime branch of the Public Security Border Troops, a paramilitary police force under the leadership of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS). It is staffed by People’s Armed Police personnel and, as of 2009, consists of twenty regimental-level flotillas.

CCG ships are named "Haijing-XX", where XX is a number.

Maritime Safety Administration
The China Maritime Safety Administration (China MSA, Chinese: 中国海事局) is a government agency which coordinates maritime search and rescue in the territorial waters of the PRC. The CMSA is part of the Ministry of Transport.

MSA ships are named "Haixun-XX" or "Haibiao-XX", where XX is a number.

Marine Surveillance
The China Marine Surveillance (CMS; Chinese: 中国海监) was created on 19 October 1998 as a paramilitary maritime law enforcement agency under the auspices of China's State Oceanic Administration. It is responsible for law enforcement within China's territorial waters, exclusive economic zones (EEZ), and shores. It is also charged with protecting the maritime environment, natural resources, navigation aids and other facilities, and can carry out maritime surveys. In emergencies, it also engages in search and rescue missions.

According to a 2008 report in China Daily, CMS operates nine aircraft and more than 200 patrol vessels. CMS ships are named "Haijian-XX", where XX is a number.

Fisheries Law Enforcement Command
The China Fisheries Law Enforcement Command (FLEC; Chinese: 中国渔政) is an organ of the Fisheries Management Bureau under the Ministry of Agriculture. It is responsible for the enforcement of laws concerning fishing and maritime resources in Chinese territorial waters and exclusive economic zones (EEZ). It is charged with protecting Chinese fishing vessels and personnel, resolving disputes in fishing activities, preventing illegal fishing, and protecting maritime resources.

FLEC cutters are named "Yuzheng-XX", where XX is a number.

Customs
The PRC's General Administration of Customs (Chinese: 中国海关) operates a maritime anti-smuggling force. Its ships are named "Haiguan-XX", where XX is a number.