Taiwan says China using militia boats to expand 'battlefield preparation' in western Pacific

Taiwan’s Coast Guard says China is combining militia fishing boats with coast guard and research vessels to expand “battlefield preparation” around Taiwan and into the western Pacific, creating pressure that also reaches Japan and the Philippines. In response to a Reuters exclusive earlier this month on a Chinese militia boat first spotted off Taiwan’s Pacific coast in mid-August, Taiwan identified the vessel as Minfudingyu 07902 and said it came about 2.7 nautical miles outside Taiwan’s restricted waters on August 16. The Coast Guard said such “grey-zone” operations have increased since June in overlapping economic waters, citing their impact on maritime surveillance and regional security.