China has called for civilian vessels to be prepared for use in wartime
China should accelerate the development of plans to involve civilian vessels in wartime operations, according to defense researcher Li Jin of the Research Center for Coordinated Economic and Defense Development under the National Development and Reform Commission of the People’s Republic of China. He suggested drawing on the United Kingdom’s experience during the 1982 Falklands War, according to the South China Morning Post.
In an article published last month in the journal *Defence Industry Conversion in China*, Li Jin wrote that as the need to protect maritime rights and conduct military operations grows, the mobilization of the civilian fleet is becoming increasingly important. According to him, China’s interests in national security and development are increasingly extending to the maritime sphere.
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The author cited the British experience as an example of the need to maintain a large reserve of civilian vessels, develop detailed plans for their mobilization, design vessels with defense needs in mind, and provide for compensation and incentives. According to the article, the United Kingdom mobilized dozens of civilian vessels within a few days of the war’s outbreak. They were used to transport aircraft, fuel, and other cargo, as well as for medical and support missions.
Li Jin proposed conducting a comprehensive inventory of China’s civilian fleets and creating a comprehensive database. It should include information on vessel speed, cargo capacity, ownership structure, and crew qualifications. According to him, special attention should be paid to vessels with potential military applications, particularly oil tankers and semi-submersible vessels. The article also called for the development of plans regarding command, communications, response to unforeseen situations, and the identification of vessels for mobilization.
