China’s Little Blue Men: Maritime Militia in the South China Sea

The People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM), better known as China’s Little Blue Men are a naval militia that is involved in gray zone operations, or “low-intensity maritime rights protection struggles,” at a level designed to frustrate effective response by the other parties involved. China has used it to advance its disputed sovereignty claims in international sea incidents throughout the South and East China Seas.

This 2019 factsheet by Professor Andrew S. Erickson looks into the China’s naval militia: Fact Sheet: The People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM). Still worth reading, as it is full of useful links.