China on Saturday sent a patrol ship to the north Pacific to join hands with the United States to enforce fishing law in a bid to crack down on illegal fishing and safeguard normal fishing activities of Chinese fishermen.

It is the longest sea patrol route for the Chinese fishing administration to conduct law enforcement in the high seas, demonstrating China's sincerity and determination in carrying out the decision by the United Nations on banning illegal fishery in the high seas, said Li Jianhua, an official with the Ministry of Agriculture.

The 1,000-ton ship starting off in Shanghai will sail 3,000 sea miles in 30 days in cooperation with US counterparts to deal with illegal fishing activities and provide service to legal Chinese fishing ships on the north Pacific.

China has been cooperating with the United States in fishing law enforcement since 2002. Nine illegal ships have been captured by the joint team so far.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2004)