Meng Hongwei, the vice-minister of public security, was named as the head of the Maritime Police Bureau and the deputy director of the State Oceanic Administration, according to the State Oceanic Administration.

The agency held a press conference on Monday to announce the appointment after a restructuring plan was unveiled on March 10 to integrate the country's maritime law enforcement forces.

Under the plan, the newly built Maritime Police Bureau will unify multiple marine forces, including the China Maritime 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 authorities of the General Administration of Customs.

Liu Cigui remained the head of the restructured State Oceanic Administration.

Experts said the integration of the country's maritime forces will help to better protect the country’s maritime interests.

China has recently been dealing with marine disputes in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

On Monday, three Chinese patrol ships patrolling waters off the Diaoyu Islands, asked Japanese ships to leave the area immediately.