{
  "id": 7728036,
  "title": "Should China use its maritime militia as a backup force in the South China Sea?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/should-china-use-its-maritime-militia-as-a-backup-force-in-the-south",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-16T07:00:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
    "slug": "reuters-business-via-scmp",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3367678/should-china-use-its-maritime-militia-backup-force-south-china-sea"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Wu Shicun, a prominent figure in China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies, has suggested the country should utilize its maritime militia as a supplementary force in the South China Sea. This proposal was made during a recent defense conference in Beijing. Wu argued that the militia, primarily composed of civilian fishermen, could play a crucial role in safeguarding China's maritime interests and rights. Most of the militia members are fishermen, with many of them being visible in recent years due to escalating tensions between Beijing and Manila. The Philippines has frequently accused Chinese maritime militia vessels of operating near Scarborough Shoal, a contested area also claimed by China as Huangyan Island. In July, three Chinese maritime militia vessels were involved in a confrontation in the area, according to the Philippine Coast Guard. Wu attributed the growth of the maritime militia to increasing tensions over Scarborough Shoal, which he predicted could escalate further as the Philippines and its allies continue to infringe upon China's interests in the region. While Chinese authorities have consistently denied the militia's involvement in South China Sea stand-offs, Wu emphasized that the militia serves as a supplementary option for maritime rights protection, alongside the China Coast Guard and the Chinese military. The militia's main occupation is fishing, but in critical situations, they can use their stronger steel-hulled vessels to protect other ships, guard facilities, and monitor and collect information. Wu noted that these vessels are relatively inexpensive to operate, ranging from a few hundred tonnes to around 1,000 tonnes, making them a cost-effective solution for maintaining a regular presence in the South China Sea. This assessment contrasts with China's official stance, which has repeatedly denied the militia's role in the region's conflicts.",
  "summary": "China should use its maritime militia as an extra force to collect information and maintain a regular presence in the South China Sea, where it is coming into frequent conflict with the Philippines. That was the suggestion Wu Shicun, the founding president of China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies, made on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, an annual defence…",
  "key_points": [
    "Wu Shicun proposes using China's maritime militia as backup force in South China Sea.",
    "Militia primarily composed of civilian fishermen, some visible due to tensions with Philippines.",
    "Militia vessels used for protection, guarding facilities, and monitoring in critical situations."
  ],
  "editors_take": "China's potential use of its maritime militia as a backup force in the South China Sea would likely embolden its claims in the region, providing a cost-effective means to assert its interests.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}