Guardians of the South China Sea(1/8)

An aerial drone photo shows the CCG vessel Sandu patrolling near a reef in the South China Sea on March 24, 2026. The China Coast Guard vessel Sandu conducted patrols to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. (Mao Jun/Xinhua)

Law enforcers conduct motorboat maneuver training on March 6, 2026. (Mao Jun/Xinhua)

Law enforcers conduct diving training on March 1, 2026. (Mao Jun/Xinhua)

Law enforcers conduct boarding and control drills on March 8, 2026. (Mao Jun/Xinhua)

A law enforcer takes part in formation and coordination training on Feb. 28, 2026. (Mao Jun/Xinhua)

Law enforcers play chess during a break on March 8, 2026. (Mao Jun/Xinhua)

Law enforcers make tangyuan, or glutinous rice dumplings, in the ship's mess hall on March 2, 2026. (Mao Jun/Xinhua)

Law enforcers conduct firefighting training aboard the China Coast Guard vessel Sandu in the South China Sea on March 8, 2026. (Mao Jun/Xinhua)