HANOI — Vietnam has taken a new step to bolster its maritime presence as territorial
tensions rise in the South China Sea.
Vietnam launched a new squadron — the Permanent Maritime Militia Unit — on Wednesday in Kien Giang, the country’s southwesternmost province. It consists of nine ships and platoons equipped with light weapons trained to carry out paramilitary work with support from the country’s Naval Academy and Naval Technical College.
Establishing a new maritime militia in Kien Giang Province, which faces into the Gulf of
Thailand, shows the importance Hanoi attaches to the strategic location as it expands oil and gas exploration and transportation in the area. The unit will protect fishing activities and conduct patrols, among other tasks.
More infomation: Tomoya Onishi, Nikkei staff writer, Nikkei asia review 13-6-21, Vietnam expands maritime militia off southern coast
