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China Now Has An Independent Naval Force to Combat Somali Pirates

April 26, 2009

China Now Has An Independent Naval Force to Combat Somali Pirates Martin McCauley writes: A second Chinese naval task force has arrived in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia to combat the activities of pirates in the region. The new task force replaces the one which consisted of a multi-purpose destroyer, a destroyer equipped with the latest long range air defence missiles and a supply ship. During its mission, which began on January 6, the task force rescued three ships from pirates and prevented over 100 pirates’ vessels from harassing commercial shipping.

The second task force consists of China’s most advanced missile destroyer and the most up to date frigate. There are also two helicopters and a contingent of naval Special Forces. All ships were constructed in China and belong to the South China Sea Fleet, based at Zhanjiang in Guandong province. The supply ship which serviced the first task force will remain. The mission is expected to last six months.

Over a thousand Chinese merchant ships sail through the Gulf of Aden annually. Before the first Chinese task force arrived about 20 per cent of Chinese vessels had been attacked. The hijacking of the Saudi oil tanker earlier this year alarmed the Chinese. Chinese tankers carry oil from operations in Sudan from Port Sudan, on the Red Sea coast, and then into the region infested with pirates.

Chinese oil companies have signed contracts with the autonomous government of Puntland (the centre of pirates’ activities) to explore for and exploit oil deposits off the coast of Somalia.

The rear admiral commanding the second mission has said that the Chinese navy may expand its remit in response to the activities of the pirates. More sophisticated weapons will be used.

The objectives of the mission are to meet China’s international obligations; protect national interests; portray the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and Navy in a positive light; and increase the ability of the navy to undertake complex tasks.

The Chinese navy will operate independently of the 20 nation Combined Task Force, a UN designated anti-piracy group. China will share information with the force and come to the aid of ships under attack. However, in this eventuality, it will only offer humanitarian aid. The main task of the mission is to come to the aid of any vessel from China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan which appeals for help. Taiwan has stated that its ships will not call on the Chinese navy to help them.

The new mission will help the Chinese to hone their skills especially in assessing the capability and tactics of the ships making up the UN mission. US warships are included in this mission and they will be of special interest to China. It will also permit the Chinese navy to gain greater familiarity with the waters off East Africa. China, among UN Security Council members, has the largest number of peace keepers in Africa. Combined land and naval missions in and off Africa permits China to gather valuable intelligence.

The return of the Chinese navy to the waters off the coast of Africa after a break of 600 years is now being celebrated in song and dance by naval troupes. The message to the world is clear: we are back and we intend to stay.

– End –

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