On 14 November 2018, Haikou Maritime Court set up an offshore circuit court on vessel “China Marine Surveillance 2166”. Combined with the island tribunal set up by the court earlier on Jinqing Island, Xisha, it marks that the first offshore circuit court and island tribunals of Haikou Maritime Court have gone into normal operation.
(Photo credit: Wang Haizhou, journalist of Xinhua News Agency)
The set-up of the offshore circuit court and island tribunal was one of the major measures taken by Haikou Maritime Court in carrying through the keynote speech delivered by General Secretary Xi Jinping on 13 April and proactively supporting national strategies such as the maritime power strategy, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the building of Hainan free trade zone (port). To meet the requirements set out in the No. 12 Central Document about “supporting courts’ exercise of jurisdiction over China’s jurisdictional waters” and the decision made at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 7th Hainan Provincial Committee on “strengthening the building of offshore circuit courts and island tribunals”, and to give full play the role of maritime justice in protecting the country’s sovereignty of territorial seas and marine rights and interests, Haikou Maritime Court released its Offshore Circuit Courts and Island Tribunals Regulations in June 2018, detailing its determination to gradually set up offshore circuit courts on law enforcement vessels patrolling the South China Sea and island tribunals on those islands with mature conditions in the South China Sea. Through preliminary field study and communication, and taking into consideration strategic importance, judicial convenience, traffic, supply and other factors, the court decided to set up an offshore circuit court on the vessel “China Marine Surveillance 2166”.
(Photo credit: Wang Haizhou, journalist of Xinhua News Agency)
Vessel “China Marine Surveillance 2166” is a comprehensive law enforcement and command vessel owned by Hainan Provincial Ocean and Fisheries Supervision Corps. She has 1,500 gross tons and 2,100 deadweight tons. It is by far the administrative law enforcement vessel of greatest tonnage and most advanced equipment. She mainly patrols and administers law in Hainan and Sansha waters. On 14 November, with the positive support and cooperation provided by Hainan Provincial Ocean and Fisheries Supervision Corps, a delegation of Haikou Maritime Court put up a sign to set up the offshore circuit court on the vessel and completed the courtroom setting in a cabin made available by the ship interests. The set-up of the offshore circuit court has practically extended Haikou Maritime Court’s effective jurisdiction to the whole Hainan Island and Sansha waters. Combined with the Sansha Division set up on Yongxing Island and the island tribunal set up on Jinqing Island earlier, it marks that Haikou Maritime Court has further extended and strengthened its maritime jurisdiction over China’s jurisdictional waters.
On the same night, officers from Haikou Maritime Court promptly started to fulfil the functions of the offshore circuit court in trial, research and promotion:
First, they held a meeting on the vessel to acquaint the marine surveillance personnel with the court’s functions and jurisdiction and to learn about the difficulties and judicial needs in marine law enforcement practices. Answers were also given on the spot to some legal questions. Second, they discussed the means of coordination and cooperation in marine administrative law enforcement and maritime circuit trials with Hainan Provincial Ocean and Fisheries Supervision Corps. Preliminary agreement was reached on “regular voyages, joint patrols, information sharing, and strategic cooperation”. On this basis, further details would be specified about objectives and requirements through consultations. Strategic agreements on strengthening administrative law enforcement and maritime judicial cooperation would be signed in good time to protect the marine environment and implement the concept that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” This would strongly contribute to the building of pilot zones for the country's ecological civilization. Third, a three-day patrol and law enforcement tour was promptly organized. Through this experience, the officers learnt about the “Protection of Blue Oceans against Illegal Activities” action on board, and provided judicial suggestions and advice about procedures and law application problems in law enforcement practices.
