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South China Sea: what is Beijing’s ‘maritime militia’ and how does it support the PLA?
- Fishing vessels used by PLA as ‘floating pieces of sovereignty’ help with surveillance, reclamation support and disaster relief
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Tensions are mounting in the South China Sea – a hotly contested and globally significant waterway that’s become a flashpoint for conflict. In the final instalment of a four-part series we look at the role of a rising auxiliary force in the region.
China’s fleets of civilian vessels and fishing boats known as the maritime militia have become more visible as confrontations have grown between Beijing and Manila in the South China Sea.
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On several occasions, the crews of these boats have been accused by the Philippine authorities of helping China’s coastguard encircle, outnumber and sometimes overwhelm Philippine resupply boats sent to Second Thomas Shoal, a frequent flashpoint between the two sides.
The Philippines and some think tank analysts believe these vessels are part of the Chinese maritime militia, a backup force that works in close coordination with the Chinese coastguard as Beijing asserts its vast territorial claims in the South China Sea.
But the militia’s existence has been largely left out of official Chinese statements about marine clashes with the Philippines. China’s foreign ministry has repeatedly denied the involvement of the “maritime militia” in South China Sea stand-offs.
Most recently, Manila accused this militia of taking part in the June 17 confrontations, one of the worst clashes between Beijing and Manila.
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