 The specification of the Type 206 class gunboat is generally similar to that of the Type 037 class submarine chaser except for its much lighter armament, making it more suited for patrolling friendly coastal areas.Although the Chinese classified this vessel as gunboat, its missions and weaponry were more like those of patrol boats, and due to the drastic reduction of the number of the crew, the living conditions were significantly better.After evaluating the class, the Chinese eventually developed a much smaller 80 ton type harbor security and patrol boat to replace the obsolete and aging Shantou, Beihai, Huangpu and Yulin classes of gunboats performing the patrol duties, thus breaking the long tradition of the People's Liberation Army Navy of having no dedicated patrol boats.