2 articles
China is increasingly using its vast fishing fleet as a maritime militia, employing "gray zone" tactics to project power and intimidate rivals. These civilian vessels, sometimes equipped with military support capabilities, are forming large "ocean flash mobs" to create barriers, disrupt surveillance, and signal intent in contested waters, raising concerns about regional stability and potential escalation.
China's 'fishing' fleet recently executed unprecedented, highly coordinated maneuvers in the East China Sea, widely interpreted as sophisticated blockade drills by its maritime militia. These 'grey zone' tactics, involving thousands of vessels forming precise formations, are seen as a serious threat to Taiwan, aiming to disrupt vital commercial traffic and challenging international law by blurring the lines between civilian and military actions. Global governments and industries are urged to plan for potential sea lane blockades and enhance identification of these dual-purpose vessels.
