Should Beijing use its maritime militia as a backup force in the South China Sea?

China should use its maritime militia as an extra force to collect information and maintain a regular presence in the South China Sea, where it is coming into frequent conflict with the Philippines.

That was the suggestion Wu Shicun, the founding president of China’s National Institute for South China Sea Studies, made on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, an annual defence gathering in the capital attended by security officials and researchers from nearly 100 countries this year.

“We need to strengthen our maritime capabilities, including our coastguard forces and even our maritime militia. Their main role is fishing, but at critical moments, there is nothing objectionable about using them to safeguard our maritime rights and interests,” Wu said.