Once faced with Coast Guard or military opposition, these trawlers can fall back on their fishing guise. “Their supposed civilian status would come to the fore, especially for propaganda purposes,” Professor Erickson writes. “Against the US Navy or other capable foreign forces, they would become … human shields forcing consequential choices for rules of engagement. If China wants to be treated as a responsible power, it has to be honest and open about all three of its Armed Forces at sea — the Navy, Coast Guard, and Maritime Militia — not conceal key vessels as “civilian” fishing boats”.<ref>https://www.news.com.au/technology/innovation/military/china-accused-of-gaslighting-philippines-over-south-china-sea-maritime-militia/news-story/3ff52ffe45d63ba0b9dc231353b933ad</ref>
== World's most powerful naval powers ==
[[Image:USNseal.jpg|240px|thumb|right|[[U.S. Navy]] seal]]
Below are what is considered the world's top naval powers according to [[Western alliance|Western]] experts in terms of countries:<ref>[https://fairbd.net/most-powerful-navies-in-the-world/ THE 10 MOST POWERFUL NAVIES IN THE WORLD - 2023]</ref><ref>[https://www.militarytoday.com/navy/top_10_navies.htm Top 10 Navies in the World], Military Today</ref>
#[[United States]]
#[[China]]
#[[Russia]]
#[[Indonesia]]
#[[South Korea]]
#[[India]]
#[[Japan]]
#[[France]]
#[[United Kingdom]]
#[[Turkey]]
#[[Italy]]
#[[Taiwan]]
== See also ==