China's coast guard said on Monday it has stepped up routine law enforcement patrols in waters near Jinmen, an island administered by Taiwan but located just off the coast of Fujian province, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen maritime management and protect fishermen.

Zhu Anqing, a spokesperson for the East China Sea Bureau of the China Coast Guard, said patrols were conducted on Monday in waters surrounding Jinmen in accordance with the law.

Since the beginning of March, coast guard authorities in Fujian have organized vessel formations to intensify patrols in the area, Zhu said. The operations aim to reinforce control over relevant waters, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of fishermen — including those from Taiwan — and ensure their safety.

The patrols also seek to maintain normal navigation and operational order in the waters between Xiamen and Jinmen, a busy channel for fishing and transport, according to the statement.