ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronEye IconIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailMenu BurgerPositive ArrowIcon PrintIcon SearchSite TitleTitle ChevronIcon Twitter
International relations

China packs coast guard with navy personnel

Bigger vessels and fleets step up activity in contested waters

Chinese vessels are entering Japanese territorial waters more frequently and in greater numbers.   © Reuters

BEIJING -- China has filled its coast guard command with naval personnel in an apparent attempt to shore up its armed presence in contested waters.

When China integrated various maritime law enforcement units into the China Coast Guard in 2013, the leadership was a mix of civilian and military staff. Now the top spots in all regional divisions are filled with naval figures.

This comes as China has become more active in nearby waters to secure natural resources and other interests. The coast guard's management reshuffle appears strategic in nature.

The personnel changes were completed by June, when navy veterans replaced coast guard unit chiefs overseeing the South China Sea and a Bohai Sea-adjacent northern area. Previously, a naval officer was appointed to oversee the East China Sea region, near the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands -- which China claims and calls the Diaoyu.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is thought to be closely involved in these staff changes. The China Coast Guard was placed last July directly under the Xi-led Central Military Commission.

Rear Adm. Wang Zhongcai was tapped in December to head the China Coast Guard, further indicating the degree of attention the fleet is receiving.

Neighboring countries are alarmed. If the Chinese coast guard becomes another military branch deploying heavily armed vessels, it will present a difficult challenge for other coast guards that carry out normal border security functions.

The East China Sea has already seen a change. For 64 consecutive days until June, Chinese-controlled vessels sailed in maritime contiguous zones approaching Japanese territorial waters. The stretch was the longest since September 2012, when Japan bought the Senkakus.

"China Coast Guard vessels have become bigger in size and capable of long-term maritime activity," a source from the Japan Coast Guard said.

Chinese vessels are entering Japanese territorial waters more frequently and in greater numbers. Such actions have increased from around once or twice a month in 2018 to three times a month in 2019. The incursions involved a total of 98 vessels through Monday, well above the 70 for all of 2018.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

You have {{numberArticlesLeft}} free article{{numberArticlesLeft-plural}} left this monthThis is your last free article this month

Stay ahead with our exclusives on Asia;
the most dynamic market in the world.

Stay ahead with our exclusives on Asia

Get trusted insights from experts within Asia itself.

Get trusted insights from experts
within Asia itself.

Get Unlimited access

You have last free article left this month

This is your last free article this month

Stay ahead with our exclusives on Asia; the most
dynamic market in the world
.

Get trusted insights from experts
within Asia itself.

Try 3 months for $9

Offer ends October 31st

Your trial period has expired

You need a subscription to...

  • Read all stories with unlimited access
  • Use our mobile and tablet apps
See all offers and subscribe

Your full access to the Nikkei Asian Review has expired

You need a subscription to:

  • Read all stories with unlimited access
  • Use our mobile and tablet apps
See all offers
NAR on print phone, device, and tablet media
Feedback
Help us improve by sharing your feedback. Thank you for sharing your feedback with us!

How easy was it to use the Nikkei Asian Review website today?

Hate
Dislike
Neutral
Like
Love
Select an element on the page.

false

Thank you for sharing your feedback with us!

Select an element on the page.