Chinese militia boats cross Thai, other Asean warships in South China Sea

Indonesian Marine special forces of Jala Mangkara Detachment (Denjaka) prepare to patrol around the waters near the venue of the 42nd Asean Summit held in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia on Monday. Boats belonging to a Chinese maritime militia approached an area where navies of India and Asean countries were taking part in drills in the South China Sea, two Indian sources said on Monday. (Reuters photo)

NEW DELHI/HANOI: Boats belonging to a Chinese maritime militia approached an area where navies of India and Asean countries were taking part in drills in the South China Sea, two Indian sources said on Monday.

An independent expert in Vietnam said Beijing appeared to be using the militia to intimidate and disrupt the naval exercise.