Maritime Security Conference addresses China's grey-zone tactics

The 2026 Maritime Security International Conference, hosted by Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council, convened experts from Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and the US to discuss China's increasing grey-zone activities. Participants highlighted how China utilizes coast guard and maritime militia forces to exert pressure below the threshold of armed conflict, aiming to normalize presence and alter the regional status quo.

Experts proposed several strategies to counter these tactics. These include enhancing maritime domain awareness through shared satellite and radar data, increasing information transparency by publicizing footage of coercive actions, and strengthening regional cooperation among First Island Chain nations. Specific recommendations included establishing common disclosure standards for maritime incidents and improving the resilience of critical infrastructure, such as undersea cables and communication systems, against cyber and physical threats.