TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China is expanding its use of fishing fleets, coast guard vessels and maritime militia across contested Asian waters, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal published Friday.
According to the report, 200 Chinese fishing vessels recently moved farther east into the Yellow Sea. Ship-tracking data from geospatial firm Ingenispace showed heavy concentrations near waters shared by China and South Korea, as well as along key shipping lanes.
China has spent more than a decade deploying fishing boats and coast guard ships deeper into disputed waters across Asia, the report said. Analysts said Beijing is relying on dual-use civilian vessels as part of a gray-zone strategy to expand influence without triggering open conflict.
“Their intention is to use these dual-use vessels as irregular warfare to control the waters,” Ingenispace COO Jason Wang said, per WSJ. He added that the buildup also signals China’s ability to threaten commercial shipping if tensions escalate.
The report said Chinese maritime activity has expanded across multiple flashpoints. In the East China Sea, more than 600 fishing boats reportedly formed a straight line for at least 18 hours on April 3. Beijing also stepped up its coast guard patrols near the Diaoyutai Islands.
China also doubled its coast guard presence near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea last year and tightened control measures, including declaring it a national nature reserve.
The report also highlighted new activity near Vietnam in the Paracel Islands. Researchers at Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Stanford University’s SeaLight project said China began new island-building at Antelope Reef last year, backed by maritime militia and coast guard protection.
Experts said Beijing benefits from operating below the threshold of war while steadily expanding control. CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department President Victor Cha said China’s approach is designed to avoid open conflict while establishing dominance in disputed waters, per WSJ.
“They are not trying to start a war,” he said. “But in the end, when everything is aggregated, they are the dominant presence.”
