China's Third Sea Force is Worse Than You Think: Chinese Fishing Boats’ Military Secrets Exposed

Summary

Tensions in the South China Sea are on the rise as China's maritime militia, disguised as fishing boats, assert control and gather intelligence. The Philippines and Vietnam face challenges in defending their territories against China's aggressive tactics, which include using these militia vessels to blockade and intimidate. The US and its allies are closely monitoring the situation, wary of China's strategy that undermines international law and could escalate conflicts in the region.

Takeaways

• 🚨 Tensions in the South China Sea are escalating, with the Philippines and China engaging in a standoff at Sabina Shoal.
• 🛳️ The Philippines is employing fishing boats to counter China's maritime militia tactics, which involve using fishing vessels to assert presence and gather intelligence.
• 🏖️ China has deployed a significant number of ships, including Coast Guard vessels and Maritime militia, near Sabina Shoal to enforce a blockade.
• ⛽️ The BRP Teresa Magbanua, a Philippines Coast Guard vessel, is running low on fuel and is considering using fishing boats for resupply under the Chinese blockade.
• 🔍 China's fishing vessels, often part of the maritime militia, are used for more than fishing; they gather intelligence, assert presence, and can engage in aggressive actions.
• 🔄 The US has been monitoring China's Maritime militia, recognizing them as disguised military assets rather than ordinary fishing boats.
• 🤖 Chinese fishermen have been known to recover high-tech US equipment, providing China with valuable intelligence and technology.
• 🌐 China's Maritime militia has been instrumental in territorial expansion, such as during the Battle of the Paracel Islands.
• 🚢 The militia's resurgence in the 21st century has seen an increase in size, sophistication, and operational range, causing concern among neighboring countries.
• ⛓️ China's use of Maritime militia as a 'gray zone' force allows them to carry out asymmetric warfare and increase tensions without direct military confrontation.

Q & A

What is the current situation in the South China Sea according to the transcript?

The South China Sea is experiencing escalating tensions and a volatile atmosphere, with the Philippines taking a firm stance at Sabina Shoal and China deploying a significant number of ships, including Coast Guard vessels, Navy warships, and Maritime militia vessels.

Why is the Philippines mobilizing fishing boats in response to China's actions?

The Philippines is responding to China's tactic of sending a large number of fishing vessels to the Spratly Islands by mobilizing fishing boats to join air and sea patrols, as a way to not let China's fleet gain the upper hand near Sabina Shoal.

What role do China's Maritime militia vessels play in the South China Sea?

China's Maritime militia vessels, often disguised as fishing boats, are used to gather intelligence, assert China's presence, and potentially cause trouble by ramming other ships or engaging in standoffs, creating a psychological game of a formidable naval force.

How has the US reacted to China's use of Maritime militia?

The US has been documenting China's Maritime militia activities through reports and analyses, viewing these militia ships as disguised military tools, which if targeted in a conflict, could be justified as military assets rather than ordinary fishing vessels.

What has been the impact of Chinese fishing boats on US military technology?

Chinese fishing boats have managed to capture high-tech equipment from the US, including unmanned underwater vehicles and sonar arrays, which have provided China with valuable technology and intelligence, and infuriated the US military.

Why is the US focused on collecting underwater data in the South China Sea?

Underwater data is critical for detailed knowledge of the seafloor and hidden reefs, which would be essential in underwater warfare. The US collects this data to avoid being at a disadvantage in future conflicts.

How has China's Maritime militia been involved in territorial expansion?

China's Maritime militia has been used in historical instances such as the Battle of the Paracel Islands to transport PLA soldiers and conduct reconnaissance missions, helping China seize key islands.

What tactics has China employed in recent years to assert control in the South China Sea?

China has employed a 'gray zone' strategy, using its Maritime militia to carry out asymmetric warfare, increase tensions, and assert dominance in the region through blockades and harassment.

What capabilities do the Chinese Maritime militia vessels possess?

These vessels are often steel-hulled, equipped with advanced navigation and communication systems, and receive government subsidies. Some are modified for combat readiness, equipped with weapons and high-powered water cannons, and crewed by retired military personnel or trained professionals.

How do China's Maritime militia activities violate international law?

China's Maritime militia obstructs the legal activities of other nations within their exclusive economic zones, creating collision risks and disrupting navigation, which violates the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and customary international law.

What is the potential strategic impact of China's provocations in the South China Sea?

While the provocations are part of a systematic strategy to undermine opponents' strategic positioning, they also serve as a decoy, drawing attention away from more critical arenas and potentially escalating tensions in the region.