A hidden navy secret is alarming the United States as China’s maritime militia operations raise serious national security concerns for the United States and its allies.

China’s Maritime Militia: A Dual-Edged Sword

China’s maritime militia, known as the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM), functions as an auxiliary arm of the Chinese military while maintaining a civilian facade.

This dual role allows the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to pursue its political objectives under the guise of ordinary fishing activities. This strategic ambiguity will enable Beijing to conduct military operations with minimal accountability, potentially leading to miscalculation and regional instability.

China’s maritime militia has been pivotal in confrontations with neighboring countries, using tactics like swarming and rafting to assert control over disputed territories without resorting to open conflict. These aggressive maneuvers have been condemned as violations of international law, yet China continues to expand its operations, raising significant concerns for the U.S. and its allies.

South Korean coast guards water-cannoned Chinese fishing militia vessels that illegally entered their EEZ.

This is exactly what the Chinese goons were doing to us in our own waters.

Serves them right. pic.twitter.com/jna0Qh1o6R

— Dr. Minh Tran (@MinhDr18) November 21, 2025

The Scale and Reach of China’s Fleets

China’s fishing and militia fleets are vast and challenging to monitor, with estimates suggesting thousands of vessels are mobilized for military purposes. These ships operate without transponders, complicating surveillance efforts even with advanced satellite technology. The militia not only supports China’s military objectives in the South China Sea but also extends its reach into the Pacific and toward Africa, thereby expanding Beijing’s influence under the guise of civilian pretenses.

During times of peace, these activities challenge U.S. interests by asserting control over international waters and attempting to restrict foreign military activities within China’s claimed exclusive economic zones. In wartime, the roles reverse, with the PLA Navy taking the lead and the maritime militia providing critical support for combat operations.

#China pretends its maritime militia doesn’t exist — yet these “fishing vessels” travel in military-style formations, coordinate with the coast guard, and swarm disputed reefs to stake de facto control. @SouthChinaSeas pic.twitter.com/MQ30bAb3jx

— David Thompson (@DavidTh29) November 23, 2025

The Strategic Implications

Xi Jinping’s national rejuvenation agenda underpins China’s maritime strategy, aiming to establish China as a dominant global power. Control over marine resources, trade routes, and territorial claims is central to this ambition. The growing scale and sophistication of China’s maritime militia represent a significant shift in global power dynamics, posing a direct threat to U.S. national security and that of its allies.

China’s maritime militia, with its quasi-official military status, blurs the lines between civilian and military operations. This raises critical questions about how the United States and its allies should respond to these provocations, especially as these fleets participate in military drills and expand their operations globally.