The Honolulu-based Coast Guard Cutter Rush arrived yesterday in Qingdao, China, the first major cutter to visit China since World War II.

During the port call, which will last until Friday, the Rush will exchange information about law enforcement with the China Ministry of Public Security Border Control Department in support of the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum, which was created to improve maritime safety and security.

The Coast Guard said law enforcement teams from each country will demonstrate techniques for boarding and searching vessels. Representatives from U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Headquarters in Alameda, Calif., are joining the Rush in Qingdao.

The North Pacific Coast Guard Forum, which was formed in 1999, is made up of coast guards and equivalent agencies from China, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russia, Canada and the United States. Its mission is to foster international cooperative efforts on fisheries enforcement, safeguarding of maritime commerce, and the fight against drug trafficking and human smuggling.

The Ministry of Public Security Border Control Department is China's coast guard equivalent.

The Rush is one of two 378-foot, high endurance cutters based in Honolulu. The cutter has 20 officers and 148 crew members.

The People's Republic of China and the U.S. Coast Guard's operational relationships already include: