They look like simple fishing boats but are capable of swarming in huge numbers to help Beijing stake its territorial claims in the South China Sea
A satellite image showing the rafting technique used by Chinese vessels in the South China Sea in 2021. China’s maritime militia has proved useful to Beijing to hold disputed territory in the region.A satellite image showing the rafting technique used by Chinese vessels in the South China Sea in 2021. China’s maritime militia has proved useful to Beijing to hold disputed territory in the region.in mid May.
A Philippine coast guard ship, BRP Bagacay, is hit by water cannon from two Chinese coast guard vessels near Scarborough shoal in April. The maritime militia play a supporting role to official coast guard vesselsThe maritime militia has existed for decades but has become more professional, better equipped, and more militarised under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, who has overhauled China’s armed forces since taking power in 2012.
The SBFV is harder to spot, and usually have lower grade satellite transmitters or none at all. Some have had structural and technological upgrades. “These could fish if they wanted to, and occasionally they do, but mostly they sit quietly and then raft together ,” says Ray Powell, director of SeaLight, a maritime transparency project at Stanford University. “It’s most economical to just sit there and not use the fuel.”by the AMTI said there was “no longer any question about whether the militia is organised, funded and directed by the government of China”.
Statements from Chinese officials suggest the professional fleet is called on first for more aggressive operations. The Philippines, which is the target of most recent militia activity, says it “will not be deterred from pursuing legitimate and lawful activities in our maritime zones”.
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