China has intensified efforts to combat maritime crimes and strengthen its judicial capabilities, aiming to safeguard coastal defense, promote high-level opening-up and build a stronger maritime power.

Chinese police solved more than 14,000 maritime-related criminal cases and addressed over 20,000 coastal risk hazards last year, effectively bolstering coastal security and stability, the Ministry of Public Security said on Wednesday.

"Public security departments have always prioritized fighting maritime crimes and have worked with other authorities to crack down on illegal fishing, smuggling and illegal immigration," the ministry said in a statement.

Between May and October, Chinese police launched a special campaign during the marine fishing moratorium in coordination with fishery administrations and coast guards, solving 474 cases of illegal fishing and seizing more than 1,700 metric tons of fishery products, according to official data.

Police also inspected shipping companies, maritime agencies, docks, ports and islands last year, eliminating more than 6,100 potential risks and issuing over 1,700 notices to address hazards at an early stage, the data showed.

"China's coastline is long and winding, dotted with islands and harbors, and includes many sparsely populated landing areas that are easily accessible," the ministry said. "To address this, local police are using new technologies to build integrated and intelligent coastal defense systems covering ports, coastlines, waterways and islands."

Public security departments nationwide have also implemented technology-driven measures, including online programs for ship registration, port entry and exit reporting, rights protection and notifications.

Additionally, more than 16,000 police officers took part in 401 maritime rescue operations last year, saving 1,229 people and assisting 80 vessels, according to the ministry.

While cracking down on maritime offenses, China has also strengthened legislation and judicial capacity in maritime case adjudication.

In January 2021, China adopted its Coast Guard Law, which aims to safeguard national maritime sovereignty, security and interests, while protecting marine resources and the environment.

China's Supreme People's Court (SPC) said more than 29,000 maritime lawsuits were heard in 2023, compared with just 18 in 1984. The types of cases have also expanded to include port operations, ship repairs, shipping logistics, and maritime finance and insurance.

"China now handles the largest number and most diverse range of maritime cases in the world," said Wang Shumei, a standing member of the SPC's adjudication committee. "The figures reflect the rapid development of our maritime opening-up and the continuous improvement in our adjudication capabilities."