(Photo: US Navy)
Defense News: China’s 'Little Blue Men' Take Navy’s Place in Disputes
China using maritime militia to carry out its dirty work in seagoing confrontations
WASHINGTON — When the US destroyer Lassen passed near a newly-built artificial island on Subi Reef in the South China Sea’s Spratly Islands Oct. 27, it was already being escorted by several Chinese Navy warships. The US ship represented a challenge to China’s attempt to create land and declare it and the surrounding areas sovereign territory.
The Chinese naval ships, reported a US Navy source, behaved professionally during the Lassen’s transit. “They shadowed the Lassen but stayed at a safe distance.”
But several smaller vessels, described by the source as merchant ships or fishing vessels, were more provocative, crossing the Lassen’s bow and maneuvering around the destroyer even as they kept their distance.
WNU Editor: "Little "blue men"?
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