Chinese fishing boats began flocking to Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea in mid-May, although some of the vessels had already been hovering around the picturesque coral reef in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone for some time.
But the Chinese vessels were no ordinary fishing boats, and they weren’t there to fish – they were there to counter a Philippine aid flotilla that was trying to deliver supplies to fishermen near the disputed shoal – and which ended up turning back before reaching the shoal.
The Chinese ships are part of a maritime militia, a mysterious fleet whose existence Beijing barely acknowledges and which has long used to help hold or seize disputed territories it claims in the region.
The militia has a long history in the region and played a key role in the 2012 seizure of Scarborough Shoal, sparking one of the South China Sea’s most high-profile territorial disputes.
The shoal is just one in a string of dangerous clashes between China and other contesting nations in the South China Sea, one of the world’s most strategically and economically significant waterways, where tensions have risen and become a potential flashpoint.
What is the Maritime Militia?
The maritime militia has existed for decades but has become more professionalized, better equipped and militarized under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, who has overhauled China’s military since coming to power in 2012.
The area is made up of two main forces: a specialized fleet of at least 100 purpose-built vessels with the appearance of fishing boats, and a larger group of actual fishing vessels known as the Nansha Base Fishing Vessels (SBFVs) that operate out of ports in Hainan and Guangdong provinces and are called on to serve China.
Professional fleets consist of more powerful ships equipped with superior, often military-grade equipment, and they swarm into conflict zones and can usually be seen on satellite tracking platforms.
SBFVs are hard to find and usually have lower grade satellite transmitters or none at all, although some have had structural and technological upgrades.
The crews of both fleets are believed to be a mix of civilian fishermen, sailors and former military personnel recruited through Chinese government training programs. The vessels tend to have small crews of around five or six people. According to Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) and a South China Sea expert, China is engaged in militia activities rather than true trawling.
How is it being funded?
According to AMTI, the militias operate largely on a range of government subsidies, with some members receiving full-time salaries from state-owned companies. SBFV members also receive heavy fuel subsidies from the government for their militia duties, which creates a disincentive for them to engage in fishing.
“these [crews] If they want to fish, they do so sometimes, but mostly they just sit quietly and raft together. [at disputed locations]”It’s most economical to just leave it there without using fuel,” says Ray Powell, director of Sealight, Stanford University’s ocean transparency project.
“There is no longer any question as to whether the militias are organized, funded and directed by the Chinese government,” said a 2021 investigative report by AMTI. The report said Beijing is legally responsible for the militias’ actions, which “violate several principles of international law.” The Chinese government rarely acknowledges the militias’ activities and does not acknowledge that they are anything more than fishing boats operating in what it claims are traditional Chinese waters.
The Chinese government has defended its activities at places like Scarborough Shoal as “rights protection” but has rarely acknowledged that militias were involved. Powell said the Chinese government has acknowledged the presence of militias but has been “careful” about what exact vessels were involved.
Employment contracts and state media articles contain clear instructions from officials about their “political responsibility” to operate in specific areas and support the military when needed. Towns that have developed professional militia fleets have received government praise for their efforts, including a visit from President Xi.
How does it work?
Militias operate throughout the region, including in the Yellow Sea and the exclusive economic zones of Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia, but observers are currently focusing on activity in the South China Sea, particularly amid escalating brinkmanship with the Philippines.
The fleet has aggressively navigated foreign exclusive economic zones, blockaded disputed reefs and islands, and repeatedly rammed and blasted other vessels in actions that are dangerous to the U.S. Navy. Militia vessels often raft together or camp on reefs for months to risk collisions and thwart approaches, strengthening China’s physical presence in a region where its presence is key to controlling the location.
According to statements from Chinese officials, more aggressive operations will initially involve a specialized fleet.
“Professional fleets are a direct threat, but on a smaller scale. [SBFV] “These fleets are big, but they’re a nuisance. They just drop anchor,” Poling said. “The government has to treat them differently: as a military threat and as a nuisance, a law enforcement problem.”
What are other countries saying about this?
Governments and organizations around the world have repeatedly condemned China’s actions in the South China Sea, including operations involving its maritime militia.
The United States, a treaty ally of the Philippines, has repeatedly accused the militias of violating international law “to enforce their broad and unlawful maritime claims.”
The Philippines, which has been the target of recent militia activity, said it “will not deter any party from pursuing lawful and legitimate activities in our maritime zones.”
Poling said the Philippines was becoming more resistant than before. “They don’t think they have any choice,” he said.
Poling says China isn’t really responding to regional resistance, but rather “pressuring the Philippines and other neighboring countries to form an anti-China coalition.”
“China was trying to do something crazy, and everyone backed off. [in the past]But that is not the case now, and like a school bully, China doesn’t know what to do now.”
