Despite protests from the Vietnamese government, China has established a department of the People's Armed Forces in the disputed South China Sea on Jan. 6, according to Hong Kong Economic Journal.
The Sansha city government, created on Woody island in the Paracels in 2012 and declared by Beijing to be the prefectural seat of the new city that administers the Paracels, Macclesfield Bank and the Spratlys, established the department of People's Armed Forces. Its mission is to strengthen the Chinese administration and claims to the disputed region, currently challenged by Vietnam and the Philippines. It also looks to manage, train and equip local militias consisting of armed fishermen. Sansha city currently has three People's Armed Forces units on Woody island, Qiland island and the Crescent Group.
A seven-day exercise began right after the opening ceremony of the department. It was held jointly by the Chinese coast guard, local militias and the fishery administration. The primary mission of the People's Armed Forces is to monitor ships operating in the waters administrated by the Chinese government. When it is necessary, the Chinese militias will be mobilized to provide rescue or humanitarian assistance in the region.
Read the full story at Want China Times