South China Sea: what is Beijing’s ‘maritime militia’ and how does it support the PLA?

Tensions are mounting in the South China Sea – a hotly contested and globally significant waterway that’s become a flashpoint for conflict. In the final instalment of a four-part series we look at the role of a rising auxiliary force in the region.

China’s fleets of civilian vessels and fishing boats known as the maritime militia have become more visible as confrontations have grown between Beijing and Manila in the South China Sea.