China urged to prepare civilian ships for wartime use

A researcher at China’s National Development and Reform Commission has urged the government to accelerate plans for mobilizing civilian ships for wartime use. The proposal, published in ‘Defence Industry Conversion in China’, suggests that Beijing should systematically treat its commercial fleet as a strategic reserve to support military operations and protect maritime interests.

Drawing on the United Kingdom’s use of commercial vessels during the 1982 Falklands War, the researcher, Li Jin, emphasized the need for a large pool of available vessels, detailed mobilization plans, and effective compensation mechanisms for shipowners. The article recommends that China conduct a comprehensive survey of its civilian fleet to create a database detailing vessel speed, carrying capacity, ownership, and crew qualifications, with a particular focus on high-potential ships like oil tankers and semi-submersibles.