Cabbage tactics

Cabbage tactics is a naval swarming tactic used by China to encircle, blockade and seize control of islands and shoals, most notably during territorial disputes in the South China Sea in recent years. Instead of a direct amphibious invasion, the targeted island is surrounded by successive maritime patrol lines consisting of People's Liberation Army Navy surface ships and patrol aircraft, China Coast Guard and Maritime Militia patrol vessels, and even fishing fleets. The pattern of blockade is similar to a siege investment in land warfare, and has been figuratively compared with the alternating layers of leaves wrapping around a cabbage's core/stem, hence the name.

The tactic is considered a "grey-zone" tactic whose purpose is to screen and interdict maritime transport to and from the island, effectively isolating the island from outside contacts and cutting off its reinforcements and logistical support. Once any prior occupants of the island all had to withdraw due to logistical depletion, the blockading forces can then land and claim the abandoned island unchallenged, all while maintaining de jure peace and avoiding the casualty and diplomatic fallout of an open conflict.