In recent years, despite the ever-changing international landscape, the situation in the South China Sea has remained generally peaceful and stable, thanks to the concerted efforts of regional countries and the stabilizing role played by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (Declaration).

The South China Sea is a crucial maritime thoroughfare and an important energy conduit. According to statistics from the Ministry of Transport of China, the South China Sea hosts three international main shipping routes and 27 regional feeder routes. 50% of global merchant ships and one-third of maritime trade traverse these waters. The South China Sea boasts abundant fisheries resources, with numerous fishing vessels from surrounding countries operating in the area. In 2023 alone, there were over 210,000 fishing vessel operations in the South China Sea.

However, the region is also prone to frequent disastrous weather events, with complex and unpredictable sea conditions, numerous reefs, and shoals, making the task of ensuring maritime safety and conducting search and rescue operations in the South China Sea extremely challenging.

According to the 1979 International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, maritime search and rescue (SAR) refer to operations aimed at searching for and rescuing individuals in distress at sea, such as ship collisions, capsizings, groundings, and aircraft accidents at sea. SAR operations are inherently altruistic in nature.

Operationally, due to the mostly unforeseeable nature of maritime incidents, SAR activities have stringent time requirements. Internationally, arriving at the scene of a SAR operation within two hours is generally considered a key benchmark for professional maritime SAR coverage.

Given the vast expanse of the ocean, diverse actors involved, and varying legal statuses of different maritime areas, effective and timely maritime SAR activities necessitate strong professionalism and coordination. While non-governmental organizations are often encouraged or required to conduct or participate in maritime SAR operations, the characteristics of SAR dictate that it cannot be divorced from government leadership, and in many cases, requires cooperation among multiple countries.

Both officially and unofficially, there exists a strong practical demand for maritime search and rescue cooperation between China and ASEAN countries.

In March 2023, Chinese maritime search and rescue forces successfully towed the Panama-flagged cargo ship FU PING with 21 crew members on board, which suffered a main engine failure, to a safe area approximately 60 nautical miles southwest of Wan’an Tan in Nansha Qundao.

In July 2023, Chinese maritime search and rescue forces rescued a semi-submersible ship with 25 crew members on board, which was drifting due to engine failure approximately 33 nautical miles northwest of Jinqing Dao in Xisha Qundao, successfully towing and safeguarding it while its engine was repaired.

In September 2023, Chinese maritime search and rescue forces assisted a Liberian-flagged cargo ship with 19 Filipino crew members on board, which was drifting due to engine failure approximately 10 nautical miles west of Yongshu Jiao in Nansha Qundao, successfully towing and safeguarding it while its engine was repaired.

In November 2023, a Vietnamese crew member aboard the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel ES JASMINE fell into the cargo hold, fracturing his arm while navigating the waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Coordinated by the Hainan Maritime Search and Rescue Center, the injured crew member received timely medical treatment in Haikou, Hainan Province.

Over the years,  maritime search and rescue cooperation has been an important part of the practical cooperation in the South China Sea advocated by China, and it is also the consensus reached by China and ASEAN countries.

According to Article 6 of the Declaration, relevant parties may explore or conduct cooperation in the field of search and rescue before the comprehensive and permanent resolution of disputes over territorial sovereignty and maritime jurisdiction related to islands and reefs in the South China Sea. Strengthening maritime search and rescue cooperation has been included in the relevant items of the four phases of the Plan of Action to Implement the ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity (2005-2010, 2011-2015, 2016-2020, 2021-2025).

In 2017, during the 14th China-ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration, China and ASEAN countries reviewed and adopted the Steps for Establishing Three Technical Committees, which include the establishment of the Committee for Maritime Safety and Search and Rescue Technology Cooperation. Guided by these documents, China and ASEAN countries have conducted maritime consultations, joint maritime search and rescue exercises, and senior-level maritime search and rescue training courses, achieving numerous substantive cooperation outcomes.

While significant progress has been made in search and rescue cooperation among South China Sea neighboring countries under China’s impetus, achieving phased results, it’s essential to recognize that current cooperation tends to be ad hoc, limited to a few nations. Regional cooperation mechanisms lack institutionalization and broad coverage, with a shortage of unified, coordinated, and regularized emergency plans and facility deployments among nations. International rescue coordination and information sharing capabilities need improvement.

Given the long-term and complex nature of South China Sea issues, the establishment of a comprehensive and stable regional maritime search and rescue cooperation mechanism still has a long way to go. However, China and ASEAN countries can incrementally promote maritime search and rescue cooperation through a combination of bilateral, multilateral, and regional efforts, facilitating the expansion of functional cooperation in the South China Sea to deeper levels and broader fields.

Firstly, enhancing the sharing of maritime search and rescue information and technical expertise, conducting regular bilateral or multilateral tabletop exercises, communication drills, or on-site exercises to continuously improve maritime emergency rescue efficiency.

Secondly, encouraging China and ASEAN countries to conduct various forms of scientific research, education, training, personnel exchanges, and other cooperation projects on maritime search and rescue through bilateral or multilateral channels, including joint research and development of information technology and rescue equipment.

Thirdly, based on relevant international treaties and in accordance with relevant international standards, while fully considering the national conditions of each country, China and ASEAN countries can explore the formulation of scientific standards for maritime search and rescue operations, operational procedures, technical guidelines, and contingency plans.

(Author: Ding Duo, Deputy Director and Associate Researcher of Research Centre for Oceans Law and Policy in the National Institute for South China Sea Studies. )