by Linly Lin (Bloomberg) The head of the U.S. Navy warned China that its coast guard and maritime militia will be treated in the same way as the nation’s navy in the South China Sea, the Financial Times reported, citing an interview. China is increasingly relying on non-naval ships to assert its claims in the region, blurring the line between its military and coast guard, … [Read more...]
Military Control of China Coast Guard Adds Edge to Sea Disputes
By David Tweed (Bloomberg) -- China’s decision to give its top military body control over the country’s vast coast guard has increased concerns about the risk of miscalculation in the disputed waters of East Asia. The ruling Communist Party is transferring authority over Asia’s biggest coast guard fleet to the Central Military Commission from the civilian State … [Read more...]
Malaysia: 100 Chinese Boats in Malaysian Waters in South China Sea
KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Reuters) - About 100 Chinese fishing boats have been detected encroaching in Malaysia's waters in the disputed South China Sea, Malaysia's state news agency and a coastguard official said on Friday. The reported encroachment on Thursday is the latest action by Chinese vessels to raise concern in Southeast Asia, where four countries object to China's … [Read more...]
China Coast Guard’s New Mega-Cutter Nicknamed ‘The Beast’ to Patrol South China Sea
By David Tweed (Bloomberg) -- China has nearly finished a giant coast guard ship and will probably deploy it armed with machine guns and shells in the disputed South China Sea, the Global Times reported, dubbing the vessel “The Beast.” China Coast Guard vessel 3901, with a 12,000 ton displacement, will carry 76 millimeter rapid fire guns, two auxiliary guns and two … [Read more...]