Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

Chinese naval fleet escort

Jamestown Foundation, 24 American article that the Chinese naval fleet restricted by many to Somalia, in addition to China to respect international law and do not want to enter his territory without permission, but also because the Navy fleet to Somalia’s fighting strength is limited and unable to support foreign territory, rescue operations, and intelligence gathering, surveillance capacity is limited.

PLA Navy fleet has more than 11 ships to escort

The article said that in 2008 alone, there are seven Chinese ships by Somali pirates attacks. Among them, Shanghai Zhenhua Port Machinery Co., Ltd. “Zhenhua 4″ in the multinational force helicopter assistance, successfully fought off the pirates. The use of fire hoses and the crew prepared for incendiary temporary defeat pirates. Back in China, to reward these brave resistance of the crew, Zhenhua’s crew $ 10,000 per grant award.

since January this year, the PLA navy will send ships to the Gulf of Aden a row, each fleet deployment for 3 months. There, the PLA Navy to act independently. The fourth formation by the “MOS” and “Wenzhou” missile frigate (November to deploy alternative to the “Zhoushan” and “Xuzhou” frigate) and the third convoy formation of the “Lake” comprehensive supply ships . So far, the PLA Navy’s fleet has more than 1100 multi-ship convoy, which also includes Taiwan vessels.

the international community to welcome Chinese warships assigned to the Gulf of Aden. U.S. Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, Nathan Christensen, a spokesman for the Navy captain had said: “We certainly welcome any country, because we have been talking about the problem of piracy is an international problem that requires international solutions used to solve, and we have and international forces launched a very close cooperation between Japan and Singapore is the coalition forces deployed there in the part of the problem of piracy is a big problem, not American or coalition forces alone could solve. “

present, from 18 countries, 30 ships are the Gulf of Aden – Somali coast – the Indian Ocean region multinational anti-piracy task execution. Many countries have developed a positive response to the policy of pirates, including China’s neighbors – India. In November 2008, India sent “Ta Baer” was (INS Tabar) frigate to the Gulf of Aden anti-piracy mission, November 18, “Ta Baer” was a pirate ship will be destroyed. Recently, the Indian Navy ‘Godavari’ number (INS Godavari) guided missile frigate ship-borne helicopters and marine commandos successfully protected from piracy in the hands of a Norwegian vessel.

In addition, a strong French and American ships also have their national security against the threat of pirates. In one operation, the French commandos attacked the hijacked “Ta Nite” number (S/Y Tanit) yachts, rescued the four French hostages. They arrested three pirates, but the boat’s captain killed in the crossfire. Soon after the success of U.S. snipers killed three Somali pirates, and rescued from a lifeboat stranded five days, the stolen cargo ship “Maersk Alabama” (Maersk Alabama) the captain. Since then, Somali pirates threatening to revenge actions, and through radio declared: “If they start to destroy us, we will retaliate and kill the captured vessel, any United States or France, passengers or crew.”

escort fleet strength or less

article points out, the Chinese government can rule out the use of force in action at least the following four reasons:

* for respect for international law, China does not want to Somali waters without prior legal consent of the Government into the territorial waters of other countries.

* At present, China sent a naval fleet to the area formed by the three ships, including two guided missile frigates and a supply ship equipped with helicopters. Zhezhi formation did not state in his rescue mission field, but also the apparent lack of intelligence and surveillance capabilities, and air combat cover (Editor’s note: “lake” missile frigate on December 21 with the fourth convoy formation has been convergence, I ship to Somalia to escort fleet four).

* People’s Liberation Army Navy does not have any combat experience, especially in the anti-piracy action. If the relevant action ended in failure, then it may indicate that the formation of the combat capability of the weak, and destruction of its long-range permanent deployment.

* any anti-piracy operations are likely to make the Southeast Asian countries feel uneasy, particularly those in a boundary dispute with China and South China Sea countries. Pay a ransom in knowing that as long as the hijacked ship would be released naturally in the case, if China has made the decision to use force, then the Southeast Asian countries is bound to have doubts about.

However, despite these problems, China is still reiterated that he will abide by the commitment to fight Somali pirates, and the multinational force called for further cooperation. This was also the security framework that China will play in the Indian Ocean “active” role. (Compiled: Compass)