Beijing training 'fishing militia' for South China Sea
Source: Straits Times
BAIMAJING (Hainan) • The fishing fleet based in this tiny Chinese port town on Hainan island is getting everything from military training and subsidies to even fuel and ice as Beijing creates an increasingly sophisticated fishing militia to sail in the disputed South China Sea.
The training includes exercises at sea and requests to fishermen to gather information on foreign vessels, said provincial government officials, regional diplomats and fishing companies.
"The maritime militia is expanding because of the country's need for it, and because of the desire of the fishermen to engage in national service, protecting our country's interests," said an adviser to the Hainan government who did not want to be named.
But the fishing militia also raises the risk of conflict with foreign navies in the strategic waterway through which US$5 trillion (S$6.7 trillion) of trade passes each year, diplomats and naval experts said.
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Read more: http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/beijing-training-fishing-militia-for-south-china-sea
