China’s Greyzone Fleet
On March 26, 2026, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) and C4ADS convened a public panel discussion on how China is deploying maritime coercion in the Indo-Pacific region, how to use open-source methods to uncover Beijing’s activities, and strategies for Australia’s response.
Even as China rapidly expands the world’s largest navy, the Chinese Communist Party also deploys coast guard and civilian vessels to exert pressure on its neighbors, in what has become an expanding campaign of “greyzone” tactics.
At this event, C4ADS demonstrated how its analysts used open-source information to trace the ownership networks and criminal background of two vessels accused of cutting Taiwanese subsea cables in early 2025, revealing a sprawling illicit civilian fleet that may be weaponized for coercive means at a moment’s notice.
To discuss these topics, ASPI’s David Wroe was joined by Andrew Boling, Lead Analyst at C4ADS; Professor Douglas Guilfoyle, UNSW Canberra; Jennifer Parker, founder of Barrier Strategic Advisory; and Dr Raji Rajagopalan, Senior ASPI Resident Fellow. This expert panel considered the strategies and goals of China’s maritime coercion, how it plays into the PLA Navy’s own activities in the region, and how Australia can and should respond.
You can view a recording of the panel below. If you have any concerns or questions about this event, please direct them to [email protected]
