Chinese think tank chief urges maritime militia role in South China Sea

Wu Shicun, founding president of China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies, proposed using the maritime militia as a backup force for intelligence and presence in the South China Sea amid frequent clashes with the Philippines. This is an academic suggestion, not official policy, but signals potential escalation in China's gray-zone tactics. The proposal, made at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, could heighten tensions with Manila and its allies.