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In March of 2009 the USNS Impeccable was surrounded by a swarm of Chinese vessels as it sailed through the international waters of the South China Sea. Towing a sonar array, the Impeccable conducted surveillance operations on submarines operating in the area. Seventy five miles off the coast of HIGH-nan [Hainan], a Chinese Naval Frigate, a Maritime Fisheries Patrol Vessel, and two fishing trawlers began circling the Impeccable. After the frigate failed to intimidate the U.S. warship, the two fishing trawlers began sailing dangerously close (within 50 feet). Throwing grappling hooks into the water, the fishermen attempted to snag the Impeccable’s towed sonar array. When that failed, they positioned themselves in front of the Impeccable and dumped waste and debris into the Impeccable’s path to force an emergency stop. I guess you could say that their behavior was… less than impeccable.
These vessels are part of China’s Maritime Militia, a shadowy umbrella force composed of multiple private fishing companies that take up government contracts to act as modern day “privateers.” Employing private vessels to project power and harass your adversaries was a common practice in 18th century England and France, who both employed hundreds of privateers under legal consent contracts called “letters of marque.” In modern terms, think of it like China’s version of the Wagner Group – but with boats.
In 2024 China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy is growing at a breakneck speed. Take a look at this satellite imagery from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). These images show rapid development and production in Chinese shipyards. In 2020 China surpassed the United States and became the largest Navy in the world by number of ships. While the U.S. Navy still maintains the lead for the most displaced tonnage, China now produces “more than half” of all new maritime tonnage in the world. So with a fast growing Navy, why would China turn to civilian fishing trawlers to help enforce their control over the South China Sea? And how do these civilian vessels fit into China’s overall naval strategy? Are they Pirates, mercenaries, or something else entirely?
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