Beijing’s blurred lines between military and non-military shipping in South China Sea could raise risk of flashpoint
- Increasing deployment of coastguard and fishing vessels in disputed waters risks undermining regional stability
- China’s construction of dual-use facilities ‘muddies the waters’ and increases concern among neighbouring countries which have their own claims
China’s steady build-up of non-military shipping in the South China Sea could increase the risk of conflict and undermine stability in the region, observers have warned.
“The boat swarm has such endurance on station in no small part due to the proximity of the artificial islands in the area, such as Subi, which can provide ready shelter for these boats in times of inclement weather,” said Collin Koh, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
“These boats can also retire to these facilities for rest and replenishment and then return to station off Thitu Island again – obviating the need to return to mainland fishing ports.”
While China’s military activities have been under intense scrutiny over the past years, Beijing has been steadily increasing its non-military presence in the region, which risks angering other countries with competing claims in the South China Sea.