[Global Issue+] The Vanguard of the South China Sea Dispute, Maritime Militia

200 Fishing Boats Gathered at Philippine Coral Reefs
Coast Guard Ships Sometimes Attacked During West Sea Blue Crab Season

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Nearly 200 Chinese fishing vessels have occupied coral reefs within Philippine waters and have not withdrawn for almost two months, intensifying the maritime sovereignty dispute between the two countries. While the Chinese government claims this is merely an evacuation to avoid rough seas, the Philippine government views these vessels as a maritime militia operating under orders from the Chinese military. The United States has also dispatched an aircraft carrier to the South China Sea, sending a strong warning regarding the activities of the Chinese maritime militia.

According to foreign media such as CNN, on the 9th (local time), Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, warned about the 200 Chinese fishing vessels surrounding the Whitsun Reef located within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) during a press conference. Spokesperson Price stated, "Armed attacks against Philippine military, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific region, including the South China Sea, could trigger our obligations under the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty." This was a warning that military intervention could be possible if attempts to arbitrarily infringe upon the Philippine EEZ and strengthen effective control continue.

Earlier, at the end of February, Chinese fishing vessels entered Whitsun Reef, dropped anchor, and have remained stationary for nearly two months. The Chinese government claims these vessels are evacuating to avoid rough seas, but the Philippine government argues that there is no evidence of fishing activity and no fishermen are visible. They assert that these are not ordinary fishing boats but maritime militia under the Chinese military.

Maritime Militia Attacking Coast Guard Vessels During West Sea Blue Crab Fishing Season

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The misconduct of the Chinese maritime militia is not only a problem for the Philippines but also an issue South Korea faces annually. Every blue crab fishing season in the West Sea, hundreds of vessels gather in groups, ramming patrol and coast guard ships and engaging in violent acts. These are not ordinary fishermen but officially recognized maritime militia who regularly undergo tactical training and receive government subsidies.

Originally, maritime militias were established during the Soviet era as part of guerrilla warfare to counter large enemy warships, and were introduced to China by Communist Party officers studying in the Soviet Union. Later, during the Chinese Civil War in the 1940s, they were formally established to compensate for naval inferiority. According to Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP), China’s maritime militia has grown to about 300,000 members, and in 2013, President Xi Jinping personally inspected the maritime militia units to commend their efforts.

They act as the vanguard of the Chinese military throughout the South China Sea, actively involved in monitoring enemy fleet movements, coral reef reclamation, and military base construction. Under international law, opposing navies or coast guards find it difficult to use direct force against these individuals who are ostensibly civilians, allowing China to exploit this ambiguity to expand their operational scope and strengthen effective control.

China Deepens 'Gray Zone Strategy' in South China Sea...Risk of Accidental Military Clashes Increases

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

This strategy of using militias instead of regular forces to encroach on strategic areas during peacetime is called the "Gray Zone" strategy. It creates a state of confusion between peace (white) and war (black), occupying strategic areas with militias to secure national interests.

Russia is a representative user of the Gray Zone strategy. During the forced annexation of Crimea in 2014, about 30,000 Russian militias were deployed, moving alongside residents in eastern Ukraine to successfully militarily occupy Crimea. China is following Russia’s example, and while the U.S. and other allies hesitate to respond militarily, it is feared that China will continue to expand its effective control over the South China Sea region.

However, these activities have significantly eroded trust among Southeast Asian countries. Nations such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, which previously had close ties with China, are now drawing closer to the United States and beginning to be wary of China. Military exercises between U.S. forces and Southeast Asian countries in the South China Sea are increasing in both frequency and intensity. There is concern that accidental military clashes could escalate into broader conflicts.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.