In July 2026, Li Jin, a defense research fellow at the Center for Civil-Military Economic Development and Defense Research under China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), published an article in the journal Defence Industry Conversion in China, calling on China to accelerate plans to conscript civilian vessels for wartime operations — drawing lessons from the United Kingdom's use of merchant ships during the Falklands War in 1982.
Li stated that amid international political threats and great-power competition, China needs to increasingly rely on civilian vessels to support military missions and protect maritime rights. He noted that the United Kingdom's experience highlights the importance of a rapid ship-requisition system, designing vessels to accommodate defense requirements, and clear compensation and incentive measures — pointing out that Britain had mobilized dozens of civilian ships within days to transport aircraft, military supplies, and medical support.
The article proposes that China conduct a survey of large civilian vessels to build a comprehensive database covering speed, load capacity, ship owners, and crew qualifications — with particular focus on vessels with military potential such as oil tankers and semi-submersibles.
It further recommends that newly built civilian ships be designed to meet defense specifications so that they can be immediately converted into warships or support vessels. As an example, the article cites the 50,000-ton Zhen Hua 33, which features a dual-use design.
This development aligns with reports from late 2025 that found the cargo ship "Zhong Da 79" fitted with containerized weapons systems — including missile launch platforms, radar, and an electromagnetic catapult — sparking debate over whether China is preparing to transform merchant ships into combat platforms in wartime, rather than merely using them as logistics and supply vessels.
Source: South China Morning Post
