Chinese 'Militia' Boats Shadow Indian and ASEAN Warships in South China Sea.

Chinese maritime militia boats approached an area where navies of India and ASEAN countries were taking part in drills in the South China Sea, according to Indian sources. The ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME 2023) involved naval ships and aircraft from India, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Brunei. The Chinese boats and naval vessels crossed each other without any face-off. Several of China’s littoral neighbours have accused it of using its official and militia vessels to harass and intimidate their fishing and military boats in the South China Sea.