Chinese coastguard has 0.3% chance of using weapons in disputed waters, war game suggests

AI Summary

A war game simulation suggests Chinese coastguard ships have only a 0.3% chance of using weapons during maritime confrontations in disputed waters. The scenario illustrates the high-stakes tensions and cautious behavior in these contested maritime zones.

A Chinese coastguard ship is shielding a cluster of fishing boats when several small, fast vessels begin circling – sometimes darting closer, sometimes backing off. Are they just curious fishermen? Or are they probing for a weak spot, trying to lure the patrol ship into a trap? In the real world, a split-second decision could escalate a tense maritime stand-off into something far more dangerous. This is exactly the kind of nerve‑wracking scenario Chinese coastguard researchers have been running...