Notwithstanding Beijing’s claim that its maritime law enforcers will refrain from using force at sea, their frequent and apparently aggressive activities in disputed waters have left a different impression. Dr Collin Koh, a Research Fellow at RSIS said: “China is deploying its coast guard, whereas the rest of the region are deploying navies. This gives China a sort of pseudo-cover that it is stabilising Asia. It is based on the theory that the white hulls tend to give a less militaristic impression, so… it tends to be more stability-inducing.”