Chinese Crew in Natuna Waters Not Ordinary Fishermen: Report

jpnn.com, NATUNA - Some fishing crew from the People's Republic of China that often operate in Natuna Waters, South China Sea, are not ordinary fishermen, according to a report.

The United States' Ministry of Defense reveals that China has the People's Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM), which mobilizes civilians.

In the report titled "Military And Security Developments Involving the People's Republic of China 2021" for the US Congress, it is stated that the PAFMM had a significant role in China's military campaign, which implemented a strategy of confrontational operations before the war as an effective means of achieving political goals.

"The government subsidizes various local and provincial commercial organizations to operate militia vessels to perform 'official' missions on an ad hoc basis outside of their regular civilian commercial activities," the report says.

The PAFMM also supports Chinese fishing vessels operating in the disputed waters. From December 2019 to mid-January 2020, according to the report, more than 50 Chinese fishing vessels with China Coast Guard patrols operated in the northeast of the Natuna Islands, which are claimed by Indonesia.

"At least a portion of the PRC ships in this fishing fleet were affiliated with known traditional maritime militia units, including a maritime militia unit based out of Beihai city in Guangxi province," it says.

The Chinese maritime militia operates routinely in the Spratly Islands and the South China Sea. So far, the territory has been disputed by many countries.

"Their operations in these areas are enabled by increased funding from the PRC government to improve their maritime capabilities and grow their ranks of personnel," the report says.