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Chinese fishing ‘militia’ formations signal rising gray-zone pressure on Taiwan
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KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan: Last Christmas Eve, satellite tracking and ship-transponder data revealed an unusual maritime event in the East China Sea: thousands of Chinese fishing vessels gathered into tight, linear formations and holding position for extended periods. It happened again two weeks later.
Analysts from a geospatial analytical firm were the first to identify two large stationary formations involving roughly 1,400 and 2,000 fishing vessels. Cargo ships in the area were forced to reroute or carefully thread between thousands of stationary vessels that had ceased normal fishing activity. This flotilla behavior by Chinese fishing boats, analysts believe, was a «gray zone» exercise.
«There have been proposals by defense experts in the United States that the U.S. Navy should treat China’s maritime militia as a real naval force,» Holmes Liao, a defense expert who is currently a senior advisor for the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA), told Fox News Digital.
CHINA LAUNCHES LARGEST MILITARY DRILLS OFF TAIWAN IN 8 MONTHS WITH LIVE-FIRE EXERCISES CAUGHT ON CAMERA
ingeniSPACE detected large coordinated masses of fishing vessels, such as the one shown in this image, in late December 2025 and on two other occasions so far this year. (ingeniSPACE)
«I think Taiwan may need to adhere to that mentality and mindset,» said Liao. «If these Chinese vessels are operating under clear military direction, then their status under the law of armed conflict could be subject to reassessment, potentially affecting claims of civilian immunity.»
Liao said that Taiwan should consider deploying surveillance drones or air patrols over maritime militia formations to demonstrate presence and reinforce deterrence. «Taiwan has so far been very timid in response to PRC aggression,» said Liao. «They may be fishing boats, but they are actually under the PLA’s command… part of the maritime militia.»
Indeed, several editions of the U.S. Department of Defense’s annual «Military and Security Developments involving the People’s Republic of China,» describe the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM) as a «state-organized, trained, and equipped» force that actively supports China’s navy and coast guard.
Chinese tourists watch a fishing boat sailing through the Taiwan Strait, on the coast of Pingtan island, the closest point in China to Taiwan, in southeast China’s Fujian province on April 16, 2023. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)
Analysts at the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative have previously documented swarms of dozens or even hundreds of Chinese vessels in the South China Sea near contested reefs, often remaining stationary for long periods. But the incidents late last year and early this year highlight how the scale of this fishing militia appears to be expanding.
Fishing vessels are inexpensive, numerous and legally ambiguous. When deployed in mass, they complicate navigation, create radar clutter and raise operational risks for commercial shipping. The civilian status of these boats also conveniently allows Beijing to frame any incidents as «rogue actions not sanctioned by authorities,» or as accidents.
BIPARTISAN HOUSE CHINA PANEL SLAMS BEIJING’S TAIWAN DRILLS AS ‘DELIBERATE ESCALATION’
The United States frequently cites freedom of navigation as the reason for navy patrols in the Indo-Pacific, with a U.S. State Department fact sheet noting that the region «accounts for 60% of global GDP.» The area around Taiwan is already treated by maritime insurers and shipping firms as a «higher-risk environment,» meaning even temporary flotilla formations could influence shipping decisions and significantly affect both regional and global economies.
Taipei-based security analyst Sasha Chhabra, however, warned of the risks China would face should it deploy civilian fishing vessels in an active conflict. «A U.S. Navy convoy could easily break through these lines, and the large commercial vessels that carry Taiwan’s much-needed imports would easily splinter most fishing vessels in a ramming incident.»
He noted that there is precedent for Beijing using Chinese fisherman as «live bait» during a conflict. «In 1973, China used civilian fishing vessels to bait the South Vietnamese Navy into conflict and seize full control over the Paracels (islands),» said Chhabra. «But what worked against teetering South Vietnam in 1973 won’t work against the U.S. Navy.»
However, for independently ruled Taiwan, the concern could be cumulative pressure rather than a single dramatic incident. Encounters between Taiwanese patrol vessels and Chinese fishing boats have grown more frequent around outlying islands and in parts of the Taiwan Strait, with vessels sometimes operating in coordinated groups that shadow or crowd Taiwanese ships. The maritime militia could also be used as a tool to discourage the global shipping industry from doing business with Taiwan.
Fishing boats are seen in a harbour on Pingtan island, the closest point in China to Taiwan, in China’s southeast Fujian province on April 15, 2023. (Greg Baker/AFP via Getty Images)
Taiwan’s major ports are the energy and industrial lifelines for this de facto independent state. The port of Kaohsiung in the south, for example, handles large volumes of LNG imports and petrochemical shipments. Even partial disruption or perceived instability in surrounding sea lanes could ripple through supply chains and sharply raise costs for the global economy.
Jason Wang, CEO of ingeniSPACE, the company that revealed the fishing fleets on their satellite systems, told Fox News Digital that despite Taiwan’s semiconductor advantage, China is winning in space. Wang said data fusion and satellite-based maritime awareness are now strategic necessities. «Intelligence is deterrence without provocation. Intelligence ensures efficient targeted spending and is a force multiplier by shaping a more effective military force,» he said. «Taiwan, like all First Island Chain nations, must be prepared for a new kind of warfare.»
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Wang and other experts note that countries like Japan and South Korea have, for roughly a decade, aggressively augmented their satellite spy constellations with commercial satellites to «ensure sufficient coverage and revisit rates so that their leadership has the capability to distinguish both overt military and gray zone activity.»
Analysts say the broader lesson is that sea control no longer depends solely on destroyers and submarines. In the immediate future, the most consequential maritime pressure may come not from warships, but from vessels that look, at first glance, entirely harmless.
taiwan,china,conflicts,japan,south korea
INTERNACIONAL
Israel cede a la presión y acepta negociar con Líbano, pero persiste la incertidumbre sobre la tregua en Irán
Bajo fuerte presión europea y apurado por la Casa Blanca que necesita poner fin a la guerra con Irán, Israel aceptó negociar un alto el fuego con Líbano. Así, abrió un resquicio para apuntalar la frágil tregua en la región y permitir el inicio formal de las conversaciones entre Washington y Teherán en Pakistán previstas para este sábado.
“Ante los reiterados llamamientos de Líbano para iniciar negociaciones directas con Israel, instruí al Gabinete para que inicie las negociaciones lo antes posible”, dijo el premier Benjamin Netanyahu en un comunicado oficial, sin mencionar las presiones de la Unión Europea o del propio Donald Trump.
Sin embargo, advirtió: “No hay un alto el fuego en Líbano». Y remarcó que Israel continúa “atacando a (el grupo chiíta libanés proiraní) Hezbollah con fuerza y no cesará hasta restablecer la seguridad en el territorio israelí”.
La incertidumbre sigue latente. Un funcionario israelí citado por The Times of Israel dijo que las conversaciones comenzarían “en los próximos días”. El sitio estadounidense Axios reveló que la primera reunión se celebrará la próxima semana en la sede del Departamento de Estado, en Washington. Faltan al menos cuatro días.
Si Israel sigue con su ofensiva sobre territorio libanés, la región quedaría expuesta a un recrudecimiento del conflicto. De hecho, dos días después del anunciado acuerdo entre Estados Unidos e Irán, persiste una enorme incertidumbre sobre la apertura del estrecho de Ormuz, por donde pasaba el 20% del petróleo mundial.
Si Israel continúa bombardeando Líbano, el acuerdo podría caer por decisión de Irán. Pero si Teherán no abre el paso marítimo, el cese el fuego dejaría de existir por determinación de Trump. La llave para destrabar la situación está hoy en Líbano y en manos de Israel.
¿Es posible alcanzar acuerdos mínimos?
Irán y Estados Unidos miran hoy a Líbano. Allí se juega el futuro de la tregua de dos semanas pactada por ambos países el martes después de 40 días de una guerra con enormes consecuencias económicas y comerciales en todo el mundo.
Si la presión sobre Israel da resultado, entonces quedará allanada la realización de la cumbre iraní-estadounidense para este sábado en Islamabad, la capital paquistaní. Hacia allí viajará el vicepresidente estadounidense, J.D. Vance, una “paloma” contraria desde el principio a la guerra dentro de los “halcones” que rodean a Trump.
El vicepresidente de Estados Unidos, JD Vance, habla con los medios de comunicación antes de subir al Air Force Two en Hungría el 8 de abril de 2026. (Foto: Jonathan Ernst/REUTERS)
El hecho de que el presidente republicano haya elegido a su vice para representarlo es toda una declaración de principios. Trump quiere terminar el conflicto a pocos meses de las elecciones intermedias de noviembre y mitigar el daño interno por el alza del precio de los combustibles y distintos insumos.
Leé también: Los peajes en el estrecho de Ormuz desafían el derecho internacional
Pero ya podría ser tarde. Una fuente cercana a la Casa Blanca resumió al sitio estadounidense Político: “Esta guerra en Irán casi consolida el hecho de que perderemos las elecciones intermedias en noviembre: el Senado y la Cámara de Representantes”.
Trump no tiene tiempo. Los ayatollah todo lo contrario. Si el presidente republicano pierde el control del Congreso quedará fuertemente condicionado el segundo tramo de su mandato.
Entendimientos mínimos: sanciones y estrecho de Ormuz
Así, de cara a la cumbre del sábado, se buscará al menos llegar a entendimientos mínimos que alejen el riesgo de un recrudecimiento del conflicto, más allá de las habituales declaraciones amenazantes y grandilocuentes de Trump.
Ali Vaez, experto en temas iraníes del Crisis Group, una ONG encargada de la resolución de conflictos, dijo a TN que “en momentos de alta tensión suele ser más fácil para las partes explorar acuerdos transaccionales limitados que intentar un retorno inmediato a un acuerdo integral”.
“Así que, en principio, los acuerdos menores centrados en la desescalada -incluída la libertad de navegación en el Estrecho de Ormuz y algún tipo de alivio de las sanciones- son más plausibles a corto plazo que un acuerdo amplio que intente resolver todos los asuntos pendientes de una sola vez», indicó. El cierre del estrecho de Ormuz causó una grave crisis internacional (Foto de archivo: Reuters)
Además, afirmó: “El principal obstáculo no es técnico, sino político. Ambas partes pueden ver valor en medidas provisionales, pero también les preocupará que las concesiones parciales puedan reducir su margen de maniobra para una negociación posterior más amplia».
El analista Mehran Kamrava, profesor de ciencias políticas de la Universidad de Georgetown, en Qatar, dijo a TN que, a largo plazo, ambos países necesitan un alto el fuego duradero.
“Cada uno por una razón diferente: la administración Trump por cuestiones de legado histórico, y el gobierno iraní porque necesita el alivio de las sanciones. Ambas partes abordarán todos los temas pendientes, incluido el control del estrecho de Ormuz, que Irán considera una ventaja importante, así como las sanciones impuestas y lideradas por Estados Unidos”, afirmó.
Leé también: Los peajes en el estrecho de Ormuz desafían el derecho internacional
Robert Malley, exenviado especial a Irán del expresidente Joe Biden, dijo que la enorme brecha existente entre las exigencias de ambas partes hace que sea “improbable llegar rápidamente un acuerdo integral, especialmente en tan poco tiempo”.
“Consideró más plausible que ambas partes alcancen acuerdos limitados que eludan los asuntos más difíciles, incluido el futuro del programa nuclear iraní y sus reservas de casi 450 kilogramos de uranio altamente enriquecido”, enfatizó.
Por eso, afirmó: “Es difícil imaginar un acuerdo integral dadas las diferencias y las visiones divergentes de ambas partes. Se puede imaginar una serie de acuerdos menores que incluyan el estrecho de Ormuz y cierto alivio de las sanciones”.
Irán, Donald Trump, Líbano, Israel
INTERNACIONAL
UK defense minister warns Putin of ‘serious consequences’ after covert underwater military operation
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U.K. Defense Minister John Healey warned Russian President Vladimir Putin of «serious consequences» Thursday after revealing a weeks-long military operation to deter Russian meddling in the North Sea.
«To President Putin I say we see you, we see your activity over our cables and our pipelines, and you should know that any attempt to damage them will not be tolerated and will have serious consequences,» he cautioned.
The defense minister detailed an operation involving a Royal Navy frigate, a Royal Air Force patrol plane and hundreds of personnel deployed to deter a trio of Russian submarines that were detected near underwater cables in Britain’s economic exclusionary zone.
RUSSIA, CHINA VETO UN RESOLUTION AIMED AT REOPENING STRAIT OF HORMUZ, HOURS BEFORE TRUMP DEADLINE
British Defense Secretary John Healey delivers a statement on recent U.K. operational activity at 9 Downing Street, in London, Thursday, April 9, 2026. (Yui Mok/Pool Photo via AP)
One of the submarines, Healey announced, was a nuclear-powered Akula-class submarine, while the other two were spy submarines from Russia’s Main Directorate of Deep Sea Research, also known as GUGI. Subs from this unit were directed specifically by Putin «to conduct hybrid warfare activities against the UK» and its allies, Healey said.
At least one of those allies, Norway, was involved in the deterrent operation, Healey revealed. Norway’s Defense Minister Tore O Sandvik confirmed the cooperation in a Thursday statement.
«Norway has participated in a coordinated military operation with our allies to send a clear message: covert activities in our waters will not be tolerated,» Sandvik wrote.
The submarines left U.K. waters after a protracted period of monitoring from the U.K. and Norway, and there is no evidence of damage to any underwater infrastructure, Healey said.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.K.’s Defense Department for more information.
The Russian incursion marked the second time in less than six months that the U.K. detected Russian seacraft near its territorial waters. Healey announced a similar military operation in November after Russia deployed the spy ship Yantar to the North Sea in 2025.
TRUMP, STARMER AGREE STRAIT OF HORMUZ MUST REOPEN AS MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT ESCALATES
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting to discuss the situation in Dagestan hit by severe flood via videoconference at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, April 7, 2026. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Healey also cited this year’s incident as an example of why the U.K. hasn’t sent troops to the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway in the Persian Gulf key to global energy markets that Iran has choked off in recent weeks.
«I understand people questioning why all UK military assets and personnel have not been deployed to deal with it. But that is not in Britain’s national interest,» he said, later calling Russia «the primary threat to the UK and to NATO.»
President Donald Trump has criticized NATO allies and the organization itself for not acceding to requests to help open the Strait of Hormuz.
«NATO WASN’T THERE WHEN WE NEEDED THEM, AND THEY WON’T BE THERE IF WE NEED THEM AGAIN,» he wrote in a Thursday morning Truth Social post.
Russian personnel walk on the gangway to Russian Navy submarine RFS Petropavlosvsk-Kamchatskiy, which is currently on a port visit at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, March 31, 2026 (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
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The U.K., while holding a planning meeting on how to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after the Iran War is over, initially refused to let the U.S. use a British air base to launch military strikes against Iran.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer eventually allowed the U.S. to launch «defensive strikes» from Royal Air Force bases after Trump slammed him as «not Winston Churchill.»
nato, russia, united kingdom, vladimir putin
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Reactions poured in Thursday after first lady Melania Trump issued a rare on-camera statement forcefully rebuking allegations linking her to disgraced financier and convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Speaking earlier in the day, Melania Trump said she was never friends with Epstein or his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, and stressed that neither played any role in her introduction to her husband, President Donald Trump.
«The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,» she said. «The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather, I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.»
As she emphasized that her name never appeared in court documents related to Epstein, several political figures quickly took to social media to publicly rally in support of the first lady.
MELANIA TRUMP DENOUNCES ‘LIES’ CONNECTING HER WITH DISGRACED FINANCIER JEFFREY EPSTEIN IN WHITE HOUSE EVENT
First lady Melania Trump speaks to reporters Thursday, April 9, 2026, in the Grand Foyer of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., a leading congressional voice calling for the release of the Epstein files, praised Melania on X with a photo saying, «Melania Trump stands with Epstein victims.»
She also applauded Melania for championing legislation that criminalizes the sharing of fake intimate images of women.
«Thank you to our First Lady for being a voice for victims across the country. From her work on the Take It Down Act to publicly standing for the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and calling for action and the truth,» she said.
«The truth will prevail. America is strong when strong women stand up for what is right.»
VOGUE’S ANNA WINTOUR TAKES SWIPE AT MELANIA TRUMP’S STYLE WHILE PRAISING LIBERAL FAVORITES
Rep. Nancy Mace speaks on July 22 at a House Oversight Committee hearing, (Tierney L. Cross/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has pushed for the release of documents through the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which he co-authored with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., addressed Melania’s effort to bring survivors in for congressional testimony and said leadership should face consequences over their handling of the files, including recently ousted Attorney General Pam Bondi.
«First Lady asks Congress to bring Epstein survivors in for testimony. With all due respect, that’s @DAGToddBlanche’s job!,» he said.
«@RepRoKhanna & I already gave brave survivors a chance to tell their horrific stories on Capitol Hill. @PamBondi wouldn’t even acknowledge them. PROSECUTE!»
DAILY BEAST APOLOGIZES TO MELANIA TRUMP OVER RETRACTED EPSTEIN ALLEGATIONS ARTICLE
Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Thomas Massie during a meeting. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images; Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., once a fierce Trump supporter before a public falling out with the president, also posted on X aligning with Melania’s remarks.
«I am grateful to the First Lady for her brave statement today about Epstein and his victims,» she said. «I agree with her that the victims should be heard. I also agree with Thomas Massie. The DOJ needs to PROSECUTE!!! And the role of Congress is to legislate, not prosecute.»
DAILY BEAST PULLS STORY ALLEGING MELANIA-EPSTEIN CONNECTION AFTER LAWYERS DISPUTE FRAMING
First lady Melania Trump said Thursday her social circles occasionally overlapped, but she was never friends with Jeffrey Epstein. (Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)
Democrats also took to social media after her fiery remarks.
Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., called on House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., to schedule a public hearing «immediately.»
«We agree with First Lady Melania Trump’s call for a public hearing with the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein. We encourage Chairman Comer to respond to the First Lady’s request and schedule a public hearing immediately,» he said in a post on X.
Rep. Robert Garcia speaks alongside other Democrats. (Getty)
He also characterized the first lady’s speech as a significant moment, saying her remarks drew renewed attention to an investigation some critics argue has not progressed far enough.
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«The First Lady said two things,» Garcia said. «1) She pushed back on Acting AG Todd Blanche & her husband’s efforts to kill this investigation. 2) She joined our efforts to call for a public hearing where survivors who choose to do so have an opportunity to testify.»
melania trump, donald trump, jeffrey epstein
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