The Taiwanese government has warned that China is preparing to campaign for harassment against Australia by sending militias from unmarked fishing boats into its waters.

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said China would likely launch a war known as the “gray zone” war in Australian waters by sending civilian ships under the command of a Navy. Communist state.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the risk of war with China in the Indo-Pacific region is increasing and the world faces uncertainties not seen since the 1930s.

Some of the 220 Chinese ships are moored at Whit Sun Reef in the South China Sea. The Philippine government has expressed concern after discovering more than 200 Chinese fishing vessels that it says are aboard coral reefs claimed by the two countries.

Relations between Australia and China have deteriorated rapidly since the Morrison administration demanded an investigation into the pandemic last year, and Beijing has blocked some major Australian exports, including coal, barley, beef , seafood and wine. ing.

Chinese ministers declined to respond to appeals from Australian speakers, even though Morrison said he was ready to participate in the negotiations.

Operation Gray Zone is seen as a kind of state-led threat below the traditional level of military build-up, but has a similar purpose.

These operations are aimed at intimidating Australia into a slow obedience to China’s will and expansion, Dr Wu said over an Australian weekend.

“The new phenomenon we are witnessing is part of what I call China’s ‘gray zone’ operation, arming, operating and following the orders of the Chinese navy, sending large fishing vessels to the maritime militia. and their perception of harassment and threat. He’s an enemy, “Dr. Wu said.

“This is something Australia has yet to experience, but it does happen.”

Beijing has even denied the existence of maritime militias.

According to Sky News, it is understood last month that Major General Adam Findley said in a background briefing that a gray area war with Chin was already underway.

Beijing has increasingly ridiculed Australia’s rebellion against China since the relationship deteriorated after Canberra called for an investigation into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic.

Countries, including Taiwan and the Philippines, are paying attention to the regular invasion of Chinese private ships into official maritime borders.

In March 2020, a Chinese fishing vessel was registered near the officially Filipino Wit Sun Reef in the South China Sea.

The Philippines demanded that China’s “threatening” presence in the region be dispersed, but Beijing wanted shelter from the rough seas because the ship was not part of the military. Shrugged and maintained.

Dr Wu argued that China has much broader ambitions than the South China Sea and inevitably leads maritime militias in Australian waters.

Three Chinese Navy ships visited Sydney for four days in June 2019, and Scott Morrison said it was reciprocated after Australian Navy ships visited China. Since then relations have deteriorated

He argued that restoring China’s diplomatic relations with the Solomon Islands is likely to be strategic and should be of concern to Australia given the island’s length is just over 3,000 km.

Dr Wu said Taiwan has faced threats from China for decades and wants democracies to unite against the invasion of Beijing.

The United States is also involved in this escalating gray zone war, thanks to its interest in the region.

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