Thousands of Chinese Fishing Boats Quietly Form Vast Sea Barriers
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- China recently mobilized thousands of fishing boats twice in the East China Sea, forming massive floating barriers over 200 miles long, indicating enhanced coordination of its maritime militia for potential military and territorial control purposes.
- The first operation on Christmas Day involved about 2,000 boats forming a reverse L shape stretching 290 miles, while the second in early January had about 1,400 vessels assembling into a dense rectangle more than 200 miles long, disrupting normal maritime traffic.
- Experts suggest these maneuvers demonstrate China's ability to rapidly mobilize civilian fishing boats to support military operations, potentially obstructing naval movements, acting as decoys, and enforcing blockades in disputed waters near Taiwan and Japan.
- The operations appear state-directed and reflect improved command
