Shake-Up in China’s Maritime Militia in South China Sea

More than two dozen Chinese fishing vessels, part of the country's informal maritime militia, were spotted heading to disputed territories in the South China Sea near the Spratly islands and Scaborough shoal. Image via @GordianKnotRay.

China’s informal maritime militia in the South China Sea is reportedly undergoing a “major rotation” with 27 vessels, mostly medium-size fishing ships, heading to disputed areas near the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal.

This so-called “maritime militia” is a crucial part of China’s strategy to enforce its territorial claims in the South China Sea. It uses supposedly civilian boats to swarm vessels from other claimant countries and get them to leave contested waters. (INQUIRER)

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by Eric Olander

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