China's maritime militia prepares secretive fishing float fleet

Global Watch | 2026-01-29

When we think of military strength at sea, images of warships, submarines and aircraft carriers often come to mind.

But China is quietly redefining maritime strategy with a fleet that looks far less threatening -- thousands of civilian fishing boats.

Recent operations in the East China Sea have revealed the scale and sophistication of China's maritime militia, a state-directed force of fishing vessels trained to support military objectives.

In two separate maneuvers over the past month, thousands of Chinese fishing boats assembled into massive formations stretching hundreds of miles. These operations, largely unnoticed at first, were uncovered through ship-tracking data analyzed by maritime experts.

The formations were so dense that cargo ships had to zigzag through them, underscoring their potential to disrupt critical sea lanes.

China's maritime militia is not a new concept, but its recent activities suggest a significant evolution in capability. These civilian fishing boats are trained and equipped to act as an extension of China's navy, supporting operations ranging from surveillance to territorial enforcement.

In a conflict or crisis -- such as over Taiwan -- China could mobilize tens of thousands of these vessels to clog sea lanes, complicate military operations and obstruct supply chains.

While fishing boats are too small to enforce a blockade on their own, their sheer numbers could overwhelm radar systems, act as decoys for missiles or physically obstruct warships.

The recent maneuvers in the East China Sea appear to be exercises in coordination and control.

Analysts noted that the boats held steady positions, rather than following typical fishing patterns, suggesting a high level of command and discipline. This kind of organization marks a significant improvement in China's ability to marshal civilian vessels for strategic purposes.

Strategic risks

The East China Sea is one of the world's busiest maritime regions, with shipping lanes that carry goods from Shanghai to global markets.

By mobilizing fishing boats in these waters, China risks disrupting critical trade routes that are vital not only to global commerce but also to its own economy. Any prolonged interference in these maritime arteries could backfire, damaging China's reputation as a reliable trading partner and inviting international condemnation.

The timing of these maneuvers raises further concerns.

They occurred shortly after Beijing conducted military exercises around Taiwan, practicing naval blockades and other pressure tactics.

While these fishing boat operations may be intended as a rehearsal for a "quarantine" of Taiwan -- a sea operation designed to isolate the island without triggering outright war -- they also risk escalating tensions in the region.

Such actions could provoke stronger responses from Taiwan's allies, including the United States and Japan, potentially leading to unintended military confrontations.

In a region already fraught with tension, Beijing's strategy of mobilizing civilian vessels may prove to be a dangerous gamble.

By turning fishing boats into instruments of geopolitical maneuvering, China risks undermining its own economic stability, diplomatic relationships and regional security. The ambiguity that makes the maritime militia effective also makes it a liability, as the world increasingly views these operations as a threat rather than a legitimate exercise of sovereignty.

China's maritime militia may offer short-term advantages in asserting territorial claims and complicating adversaries' operations, but the long-term consequences could be far more damaging.

As Beijing continues to scale up these activities, it faces growing risks of economic backlash, diplomatic isolation and military escalation. In the East China Sea and beyond, the silent fleet of fishing boats may prove to be a double-edged sword for China's ambitions.