Liu Cigui, China's newly-appointed oceanic administrator, vowed to carry out routine patrols in the country's territorial waters in order to safeguard the country's maritime rights and interests, the People's Daily reported on Monday.

Liu Cigui, director of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), visited the staff of China Marine Surveillance at the Xisha Islands in South China Sea. [File photo]

Liu, director of the State Oceanic Administration (SOA), promised to continue the regular patrols around the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea and keep Huangyan Island in the South China Sea under effective control.

Routine patrols will also be conducted in the Yellow Sea, he said.

The SOA was restructured during the country's annual parliamentary session in March of 2013, as to enhance maritime law enforcement and better safeguard the country's sovereignty.

Administered by the Ministry of Land and Resources, the SOA integrates functions of the China Marine Surveillance, the coast guard forces of the Ministry of Public Security, the fisheries law enforcement command of the Ministry of Agriculture and the maritime anti-smuggling police of the General Administration of Customs.

Liu had served as the director of SOA for two years prior to the restructuring. On his watch, China realized its routine patrols around the Diaoyu Islands.

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