I also continue to support better tools and increased resources for the Coast Guard, including maritime surveillance platforms at South Padre island, which I helped authorize to strengthen our ability to monitor and stop illegal fishing and smuggling along our southern maritime border. Globally, we must also confront the threat posed by China's use of its fishing fleet as part of a maritime militia. Many of these Chinese vessels exploit crews through forced labor, unsafe conditions, and wage theft. Crew members are held against their will, denied basic human rights, and even subjected to physical violence. (02:49–02:58)
CLAIM
Asserts that China's fishing fleet is used as a maritime militia, posing a global threat.
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