Fishing boats with Chinese national flags seen at a harbour in Tanmen, Hainan provinceReuters
China is using a fleet of fishing boats to conduct maritime exercises in disputed waters in the South China Sea, a report says. Military-trained fishermen are deployed on tiny boats from Hainan Island to gather information on foreign vessels sailing through the South China Sea, according to Reuters.

It said the vessels are equipped with Global Positioning Satellite equipment — so they can establish contact with the Chinese coast guard in case of emergencies — while some carry small arms.

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/south-china-sea-beijing-using-fishing-militia-expand-presence-disputed-waters-155777