COLUMN | The West needs to draw the line on Russian and Chinese grey-zone provocations

ASPI’s report also highlights China’s growing use of maritime militia—fishing vessels operating under direct government control—to conduct what Beijing calls the "people’s war at sea".

Since taking power, Chinese President Xi Jinping has subsidised provincial and local governments to significantly increase local fleets. These vessels are deployed in the South China Sea, alongside Chinese navy and China Coast Guard vessels, to promote Chinese expansionism. This sea power is a serious regional threat, to Australia and many East and Southeast Asian states whose maritime trading routes could be easily disrupted.

Australian Director-General of National Intelligence Andrew Shearer has warned that we are already engaged in grey-zone warfare with our adversaries. The task now for Western governments is to set the rules of engagement and build a deterrence that is immediate, integrated, and unconventional.

Article reprinted with permission from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute's analysis and commentary site The Strategist.