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Background Briefing: China Restructures Maritime Patrol Forces Carlyle A. Thayer March 12, 2013

[client name deleted] China announced yesterday that it would be restructuring its maritime patrol forces, consolidating a number of agencies under the State Oceanic Administration. Q1. What is your assessment of what impact, if any, this move might have on Chinas approach in the South China Sea. Given some of the competing agendas that have been apparent among the handful of Chinese agencies operating in the South China Sea lately, is this a sign of the central government looking to exert a firmer influence on proceedings? ANSWER: China has "nine dragons" or nine separate competing bureaucracies each with maritime responsibilities. Past attempts under Premier Wen Jiabao to impose central control proved ineffective. This current effort is to unify the chain of command to improve central direction and control. China will be able to wield a more effective pressure on Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam through the use of civilian all be it paramilitary - institutions. Q2. And do you read anything into the Ministry of Land and Resources, which handles Chinas development of natural resources, overseeing Chinas reformed maritime security apparatus? ANSWER: China's defence doctrine includes legal warfare. China has developed a maritime strategy that stresses the legal foundation - from China's perspective - of territorial disputes. Asserting greater control over resources and maritime security is the latest iteration of this process.

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