(File photo)

China and Vietnam concluded a three-day joint patrol mission in a common fishing zone in the Beibu Gulf Wednesday.

Coast guards from both sides completed a series of scheduled tasks, including a joint patrol, maritime search and rescue exercise, and examination of fishing boats, amid strong winds and high waves, according to a China Coast Guard (CCG) statement.

The two sides also discussed law enforcement experiences and visited each other's ships.

This has been the two countries' second joint patrol in 2016; the first being in April. Four coast guard ships were involved in the latest mission.

The two countries have conducted 12 joint law enforcement exercises in the common fishing zone since 2006, the statement said.

The latest mission will help the two sides' maritime search and rescue abilities, and strengthen personnel communication and law enforcement cooperation, according to Liu Tianrong, the Chinese commander of the mission.