Chinese Militia Boats Cross Indian, ASEAN Warships Exercising in South China Sea

Ship tracking data shows Brunei, Thai, and Vietnamese ships that are set to be passed by a group of Chinese ships headed south toward the vicinity of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise formation inside Vietnam's exclusive economic zone on May 8, 2023. Screenshot via The Epoch Times/Ray Powell/Twitter

Boats belonging to a Chinese maritime militia approached an area where navies of India and ASEAN countries were taking part in drills in the South China Sea, reports said on Monday.

An independent expert in Vietnam said Beijing appeared to be using the militia to intimidate and disrupt the naval exercise.