Chinese Maritime Militia & Coast Guard collaborate to disrupt resupply route near Spratley Islands.

According to a tweet published by Jay Tarriela on August 7, 2023, Philippine Coast Guard has recently recorded evidence of the Chinese Maritime Militia working alongside the Chinese Coast Guard to obstruct a resupply boat heading towards the Ayungin Shoal.
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Chinese Coast Guard 5201 and civilian ships. (Picture source: Philippine Coast Guard)

The Chinese Maritime Militia, also known as the Fishing Militia, plays a pivotal role in the maritime operations of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Operating alongside the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), it constitutes one of the three significant maritime forces of China.

The US Military often references the Maritime Militia as the People's Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM). Its clandestine operations in the South China Sea have earned it the nickname "little blue men", a term inspired by Russia's "little green men" from the 2014 Crimea incident.

The origins of China's maritime militia trace back to the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War when the CCP needed to fortify its maritime defenses against the retreating Kuomintang. Its evolution has witnessed participation in various skirmishes, most notably the Battle of the Paracel Islands.

Over the years, the structure of the maritime militia has diversified. It now encompasses both dedicated militia vessels and subsidized fishing boats, the majority of which are owned by private individuals.

However, their allegiance to the PRC's maritime objectives is evident from their operations, primarily conducted out of Guangdong and Hainan Provinces.

In terms of capabilities, while many of these vessels began unarmed, today they sport features like reinforced bows, water cannons, and some even boast naval mines and anti-aircraft weaponry.

The militia's primary tasks lie in aiding China's maritime strategies, especially in contentious waters. They have been involved in territorial disputes, jurisdictional issues, and even in monitoring foreign naval activities in PRC-claimed waters. Such operations often bring them into interactions with the navies of neighboring countries and the US.

One of the defining features of the maritime militia is its role in China's gray zone tactics. Their civilian status creates a veil of ambiguity, allowing the PRC to assert maritime claims without resorting to overt military aggression.

However, the decentralized nature of the militia, with many members pursuing private interests, means that their actions sometimes may not wholly align with Beijing's directives.