Somali Naval Escort Operation of the People's Liberation Army

Chinese naval escort in Somalia，Is a military operation launched by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy in Gulf of Aden Somali pirates frequent waters since the end of 2008. This action was undertaken by the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China in accordance with the United Nationsthe Security Council resolution 1846 and its subsequent resolutions, and in light of the practice of the States concerned, Carried out with the consent of Government of Somalia. The main contents of the operation are: to protect the safety of Chinese ships and personnel sailing in the waters; Protect World Food Programme and other world organization ships carrying humanitarian supplies. The first Chinese naval escort taskforce to Somalia set sail from the Hainan Sanya military port on 26 December 2008, and arrived in the Gulf of Aden, Somalia, on 6 January 2009 to officially begin escort work. By May 2023, 44 escort taskforces had been dispatched, and escort operations are still ongoing.

Escalating pirate attacks
Since 2008, there has been a marked increase in pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden Somalia waters. In 2008 alone, there were 111 attacks, of which 42 ships were successfully hijacked by pirates. in February 2009, dozens of times in the same period of 2008 pirate attacks times; In March there were almost daily reports of pirate attacks; In April, pirates attacked 79 ships and successfully hijacked 21 of them.

Chinese crew ships threats to security

 * On 4 April 2006, Korea the fishing vessel Dongwon 628, with three Chinese crew members, was hijacked in waters off Somalia.
 * On 15 May 2007, two Korea fishing boats with a total of 22 people on board, including 10 Chinese nationals, were hijacked by pirates flying the Tanzanian flag "Mavuno1" and "Mavuno2".
 * On 15 September 2008, a Hong Kong registered transport ship was hijacked by pirates with 22 people on board, but none of them Chinese nationality.
 * On September 17, 2008, a cargo ship belonging to a Hong Kong subsidiary of the China Foreign Trade and Transportation Corporation was hijacked by pirates, with 24 of the 25 crew members being Chinese.
 * On November 14, 2008, the Chinese fishing boat "Tianyu 8" was hijacked by Somali pirates. There were 16 Chinese crew members (including one Taiwanese crew member) and eight foreign crew members on board.
 * On 19 November 2008, U.S. Navy confirmed that a Hong Kong-registered Iranian cargo ship was hijacked by Somali pirates. There were 25 crew members on board, but no Chinese.
 * On 17 December 2008, China transport ship Zhenhua 4 was boarded by pirates. 30 Chinese crew members escaped safely with the support ship Sri Indrashadi Malaysian Navy and its gunship.

Offers and invitations from other countries
On 24 November 2008, during a meeting between China Minister of National Defense Liang Guanglie, the visiting Inspector General (equivalent to Commander of the Navy) Wolfgang Norting General, Minister of National Defense of the People's Republic of China, An invitation to join forces in the fight against Somali piracy. The following day, in a meeting with Commander of the NavyGeneral Wu Shengli, the same intention was expressed.

On November 29, 2008, Somali Ambassador to China Somali Aweil said in an interview with Global Times that Somali government Chinese Navy are welcome to visit Somali waters at any time and place to maintain maritime peace. He also said an invitation had been extended to China. In mid-December, Arwell once again welcomed the Chinese fleet in an interview with the media. "We welcome and hope that China will soon send its fleet to join the international community's joint anti-piracy efforts," he said. On December 16, at the meeting between Transitional Federal Government of Somalia Foreign Minister Jamaa and Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in New York City, He also said that China is welcome to actively consider sending warships to the Somali waters to participate in the escort.

Preliminary preparation and planning
On November 15, 2008, the training ship Zheng He, which was on its way to visit China, organized an anti-piracy and anti-hijacking exercise. At the end of November, the South Sea Fleet conducted an anti-piracy exercise. Marine Corps members boarded a merchant ship by helicopter, quickly raided pirates, and rescued the kidnapped crew. Ministry of National Defence, PRC | Ministry of National Defence, PRC Qian Lihua, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Liberation Army, said in an interview in mid-November 2008, "China hopes to begin sending combat troops' very soon '." On 24 November, the Inspector General of German Navy visiting at Beijing extended an invitation to Minister of National Defence of the People's Republic of China Minister of National Defence Liang Guanglie to join hands with Chinese Navy in combating piracy. Liang replied, "(The Chinese side) is assessing the latest attack on Indian OceanSomali pirates."

On December 16, 2008, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs He Yafei attended the Ministerial Meeting on Piracy Issues at the United Nations Security Council. He Yafei stated, 'China is actively considering dispatching naval vessels to the waters of the Gulf of Aden and Somalia for escort missions in the near future.'

Officially declare the battle
On December 20, 2008, Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Spokesperson Hu Changming officially announced that of the Chinese Navy South China Sea Fleet would dispatch a joint fleet including two destroyers and one supply ship, On December 26, it set sail from Sanya to Somalia waters. On the same day, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Liu Jianchao also officially released to the outside world the Chinese Navy's decision to send ships escort missions to the waters off Somalia.

On December 22, of the People's Republic of China China ambassador to United Nations zhang yesui to UN secretary-general he and United Nations security council month rotating President Croatia ambassador yuri was notified by China's decision to send [to somalia waters navy ships carry out the escort decision. Ban Ki-moon and Jurica welcomed the decision made by [the Chinese government].

Mission
People's Liberation Army Navy Somalia The main tasks of the escort taskforce are as follows: To protect ships and personnel in China waters off the Somali coast in the passage of Gulf of Aden; Protect World Food Programme and other international organizations carrying humanitarian supplies. At the same time, the Chinese Navy will also carry out international cooperation with other countries navies in the surrounding waters to jointly safeguard the security and stability of these waters. Chinese naval escort taskforces will also participate in humanitarian relief operations when necessary.

Course of action
Fleet composition: 2 main warships of the navy, including destroyers, frigates, dock landing ships; An integrated supply ship. Three ships in total. From the 30th batch, the destroyer detachments of the three theater navies took turns to assume the task.

Warship type: As of the 42nd escort taskforce, Ever used Type 051B destroyer, Type 052 destroyer, Type 052B destroyer, Type 052C destroyer, Type 052D destroyer ; Type 053H3 frigate, Type 054 frigate, Type 054A frigate] frigate; Type 071 amphibious transport dock; And Type 908 ocean replenishment ship, Type 903 replenishment ship comprehensive replenishment ship. In addition, when the type 054A 568 frigate carried out the 5th convoy, the name was Chaohu warship, then * represented the number of missions; No. 568 is currently named Hengyang, and Chaohu is now No. 890, a Type 903 integrated supply ship.

Influence
🇺🇳 United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of ChinatoSomalia sent welcomeWarship convoy." He appreciated China's strong support to the international campaign against Piracy off the coast of Somalia, which shows the important role China plays in international affairs."

🇺🇸 United States Navy United States Indo-Pacific Command Commanding officer Timothy J. KeatingGeneral Welcomes China's action. He hopes this will be an opportunity for military exchanges between China and USA.

Philippine Navy Commander-in-chiefGao Litz Vice Admiral welcomed the Chinese Navy dispatch of warships to Somalia to fight piracy, believing that a strong Chinese navy is conducive to regional stability.

🇸🇴Somalia Ambassador Aweil said that "the Chinese navy is the most welcome in Somali waters." "China is the most credible force for peace."