Maritime Militia

This article is about the maritime militia of China. For militia force of Vietnam that consists of the maritime militia arm, see Vietnam Militia and Self-Defence Force. For militia components of the Chinese Armed Forces, see Militia (China).
Chinese Maritime Militia
中国海上民兵
A purpose-built Chinese Maritime Militia ship (type WAG FT-16) intercepting a Filipino vessel resupplying a Spratly outpost, 2023[1]
Country People's Republic of China
Allegiance Chinese Communist Party
TypeMaritime militia
RoleNaval patrols, reconnaissance, search and rescue; greyzone warfare; Law Enforcement; commercial fishing
Fleet370,000 non-powered FVs (2015)[2]
672,000 powered FVs (2015)[2]
Engagements

The Chinese Maritime Militia (CMM; Chinese: 中国海上民兵), also called the People's Armed Force Maritime Militia (PAFMM)[3] or Fishery Militia (渔政民兵), is a naval militia of the People's Republic of China (PRC). It is the smallest of the three maritime forces used in Chinese sea patrol operations, next to the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).[4]

The maritime militia takes part in anti-access and area denial missions in areas of the Pacific Ocean claimed by China. By using law enforcement and "civilian" fishing vessels, the PRC is able to use "greyzone" tactics, avoiding a military conflict while still pursuing and enforcing its maritime claims.[5][6][7]

  1. ^ "'Little blue men': Is a militia Beijing says doesn't exist causing trouble in the South China Sea?". 12 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference 08-15iuu was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rand History was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Kennedy, Conor (2018). "The Struggle for Blue Territory. Chinese Maritime Militia Grey-Zone Operations". RUSI Journal. 163 (5): 8. doi:10.1080/03071847.2018.1552450. S2CID 158779705 – via Taylor & Francis Online.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference :7 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference :8 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).