A recent report from the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, part of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, highlights a significant surge in the deployment of China's maritime militia in the South China Sea. According to the report, these deployments averaged 241 vessels per day in 2025, which is the highest recorded level in any year. This marks a notable increase from the previous year's average of 232 vessels, indicating the growing emphasis on maritime militia activities in contested waters, likely in response to ongoing territorial disputes in the region.

The report also points out a strategic shift regarding China's civilian fishing fleets, which seem to be concentrating near less contested reefs. This trend suggests that while the military aspect of China's maritime strategy is increasing, the role of civilian fleets may be diminishing in terms of their strategic utility for Beijing. This change could have implications for regional fisheries and the dynamics of maritime engagement in the South China Sea as the country prioritizes its maritime militia forces.

Despite ongoing tensions and the deployment of the maritime militia, the Chinese foreign ministry has continued to deny that these forces engage in actions relevant to the South China Sea disputes, maintaining that their presence is unrelated to military confrontations. This stance further complicates the narrative surrounding China's activities in the region and raises questions about the broader implications for cross-border relations and maritime laws.