On December 27, 2018, the spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense made a judgment on the entire 10 years of Chinese naval escort
Chinese naval escort in Somalia，Is a military operation launched by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy in Gulf of AdenSomali 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 Councilresolution 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 HainanSanya military port on 26 December 2008, and arrived in the Gulf of Aden, Somalia, on 6 January 2009 to officially begin escort work.[1] By May 2023, 44 escort taskforces had been dispatched, and escort operations are still ongoing.
Background
Escalating pirate attacks
Since 2008, there has been a marked increase in pirate attacks in the Gulf of AdenSomalia waters. In 2008 alone, there were 111 attacks, of which 42 ships were successfully hijacked by pirates.[2] 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.[2]
Chinese crew ships threats to security
Chinese fishing boat Tianyu 8 hijacked by Somali pirates The Chinese fishing vessel 'Tianyu 8' hijacked by Somali pirates.
On 4 April 2006, Korea the fishing vessel Dongwon 628, with three Chinese crew members, was hijacked in waters off Somalia.[3]
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".[4]
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.[5]
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.[5]
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.[6][7]
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.[8]
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.[9][10]
On November 29, 2008, Somali Ambassador to China Somali Aweil said in an interview with Global Times that Somali governmentChinese 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.[14]
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.[15] On December 16, at the meeting between Transitional Federal Government of SomaliaForeign 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.[16]
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.[17] 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.[18] 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 '."[19] 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."[12]
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.'[20][21]
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].[24]
Mission
People's Liberation Army NavySomalia 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.[22][23]
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.
Accumulated distance of over 79,000 nautical miles, providing escort for 166 ships in 41 batches, regional escort for 46 ships, and successfully rescuing 3 attacked foreign vessels.
Lasting 142 days, covering a total distance of 85,000 nautical miles. Providing escort for 308 Chinese and foreign ships in 45 batches, offering regional protection for 85 ships, rescuing 4 attacked ships, and escorting 1 foreign merchant ship released by pirates
176 days, covering a total distance of nearly 40,000 nautical miles. Completing escort missions for over 660 Chinese and foreign ships in 46 batches, verifying and expelling 74 suspicious targets in 222 batches, rescuing 3 Chinese and foreign ships, escorting 4 released foreign ships, and boarding and inspecting 2 batches of 2 suspicious vessels of unknown nationality
Verified and expelled 370 suspicious ships in 85 batches, covering a total distance of 92,000 nautical miles, providing escort for 588 merchant ships in 41 batches
Safely escorted 615 ships in 49 batches, including 306 Chinese and 309 foreign ships. Conducted rescue operations 3 times, rescuing 1 ship hijacked by pirates and 3 ships chased by pirates
Lasted 189 days and covered a total distance of over 110,000 nautical miles. Safely escorted 578 Chinese and foreign ships in 38 batches, rescued 1 ship attacked by pirates, rescued 1 ship boarded by pirates, and rescued 9 ships chased by pirates 6 times. Verified and expelled suspicious ships 218 times. Successfully completed escort missions for ships evacuating Chinese nationals in Libya
Ma'anshan-class Missile Frigate 525 (2) Wenzhou-class Missile Frigate 526 (2) Type 903 Comprehensive Supply Ship 886 Qian Dao Hu(4)
Han Xiaohu
Over 700 personnel
Completed escort missions for 507 ships in 46 batches, rescued 1 ship released by pirates, rescued 7 ships chased by pirates, and assisted 2 foreign ships with equipment malfunctions
Type 052B Missile Destroyer 169 WuHan (2) Yulin-class Missile Frigate 569 (1) Type 908 Ocean-going Supply Ship 885 Qinghai Lake(1)
Guan Jianguo
Over 800 personnel
Lasted 176 days, covering 70,000 nautical miles. Safely escorted 280 Chinese and foreign ships in 41 batches. Successfully provided escort for the "Nawal 3" merchant ship of the World Food Programme. Provided emergency medical treatment for 5 Chinese and foreign merchant ships with injured or sick crew members
Safely escorted 184 Chinese and foreign ships in 43 batches (including 51 mainland Chinese ships, 14 Hong Kong ships, 1 Taiwan ship, and 118 foreign ships), expelled 126 suspected pirate ships in 58 batches. Successfully handled over 70 unexpected situations, rescued 3 Chinese and foreign ships chased by suspected pirate ships, and provided timely medical assistance for crew members of 4 Chinese and foreign merchant ships. Assisted in repairing equipment malfunctions for the Chinese ship "Jimei Gui"
Lasted 201 days, covering a distance of 12,449 nautical miles. Completed escort missions for 204 Chinese and foreign ships in 46 batches, verified and expelled suspicious ships in 35 batches and 62 times
Completed escort missions for 166 Chinese and foreign ships in 37 batches, verified and expelled suspicious targets in the sea in 68 batches and 110 times
Lasted 225 days, covering a total distance of 125,923 nautical miles. Set a record for the longest time a People's Navy fleet has operated in distant seas. Successfully completed safe escort missions for 181 Chinese and foreign ships in 63 batches and engaged in joint military exercises with foreign navies such as EU 508, US 151, and NATO 465
Singapore, Thailand Participated in the "Peace-13" multinational naval joint exercise
Successfully completed escort missions for 181 Chinese and foreign ships in 46 batches. Escorted 1 ship of the UN World Food Programme. Conducted friendly exchanges with foreign naval vessels such as EU 508, US 151, and NATO 465 five times. First-ever commander visits and joint military exercises with the Ukrainian Navy
Yancheng-class Missile Frigate 546 (1) Type 053H3 Missile Frigate 527 Luoyang(1) Type 903 Comprehensive Supply Ship 889 Taihu(2)
Li Peng Cheng
Over 660 personnel
Completed escort missions for 132 Chinese and foreign ships in 40 batches. Sent special forces members 53 times to provide on-board security for 18 ships. Rescued 1 merchant ship attacked by pirates
Completed a total of 43 batches of escort tasks for 115 Chinese and foreign ships, providing special escort for 17 ships, escorting a ship for the World Food Programme, and participating in actions such as rescuing missing crew members of the South Korean navy and rescuing a burning Italian merchant ship[25]
Completed 48 batches of escort tasks for 135 Chinese and foreign ships, providing special escort for 8 ships, escorting China's lunar exploration ship Yuan Wang 3 for the first time, and conducting joint anti-piracy and international humanitarian rescue exercises with the navies of the United States, France, and Greece
United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, France, Greece
Lasting 221 days, completed 36 batches of escort tasks for 109 Chinese and foreign ships, directly berthed in the operational port for the first time to carry out the evacuation of international citizens, safely evacuating 897 Chinese and foreign citizens from 16 countries. For the first time, conducted joint military exercises with the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean.
Completed a total of 39 batches of escort tasks for 90 Chinese and foreign ships, drove away suspected pirate ships in 11 batches with 13 ships, made a friendly visit to Mumbai, India during the escort gap, and exchanged visits with warships from France, Pakistan, and South Korea. The fleet also met with the commander of the 19th escort fleet of South Korea, exchanging anti-piracy experiences and deepening operational cooperation.
Globally visited Sudan, Egypt, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Poland, Portugal, the United States, Cuba, Mexico, East Timor, Indonesia, and 16 other countries.
Executed a total of 35 batches of escort tasks for 64 Chinese and foreign ships, drove away suspected pirate ships in 12 batches with 56 ships, ensuring the safety of escorted ships and the fleet itself. During this period, the fleet conducted joint anti-piracy exercises with NATO 508 fleet and the 19th escort fleet of the South Korean Navy, held a commander meeting with the EU 465 fleet and the South Korean Navy escort fleet, and exchanged visits with warships from Denmark, Italy, and the South Korean Navy, further expanding international cooperation.
Executed escort for 122 days, undertook a total of 25 batches and 56 Chinese and foreign ships' escort tasks, urgently rescued 5 injured crew members from 2 batches of Chinese fishing vessels, and conducted joint exercises with foreign
Completed 39 batches of escort tasks for 79 Chinese and foreign ships, drove away suspected pirate ships in 7 batches with 41 ships, maintaining "100% safety" for both escorted ships and the fleet itself. During the escort, Xiangtan represented the Chinese Navy and participated in the "Kiel Week" event held from June 17 to 26 in Germany, marking the first time the Chinese Navy sent a ship to participate in the event.
Completed 35 batches of escort tasks for 45 Chinese and foreign ships, including escorting a batch of 1 ship for the World Food Programme. Successfully dealt with 8 batches of attacks by suspected pirate targets, ensuring "100% safety" for both escorted ships and the fleet itself. During this period, the fleet commander had 1 meeting and exchange with the commander of the EU 465 fleet, and 4 informal meetings at the captain level, providing humanitarian assistance to foreign ships twice.
Lasting 208 days, covering a total distance of 119,768 nautical miles, completing 30 batches of escort tasks for 62 Chinese and foreign ships. Rescued 2 ships chased by pirates, discovered and drove away 13 batches of 82 suspected pirate boats, achieving "100% safety" for both escorted ships and the fleet itself. Created records for the Chinese Navy in the Gulf of Guinea with the first successful armed rescue of a pirate-attacked ship and the first successful capture of suspected pirates, with the highest number of helicopter flights, sorties, and incidents.
Lasting 230 days, covering a total distance of 124,962 nautical miles, completed 36 batches of escort tasks for 54 Chinese and foreign ships. Rescued 5 ships chased by pirates, discovered and drove away 13 batches of 42 suspected pirate boats, ensuring "100% safety" for all escorted ships, personnel, and the fleet itself. Set multiple records including the fleet's first mobile cruise in the Gulf of Guinea.
Lasting 249 days, successfully escorted 30 batches of 41 Chinese and foreign ships, crossed 3 continents and 3 oceans, crossed the equator 6 times, visited 9 countries and 9 ports, and participated in tasks such as attending the International Maritime Conference and regional maritime exercises in Nigeria.
Traveled over 36,000 nautical miles, successfully completing 26 batches of escort tasks for 40 Chinese and foreign ships. Participated in the "Kiel Week" in Germany and the 100th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the Polish Navy.
Technical stop in Greece, Spain, France, and Italy.
The mission lasted 175 days, covering over 30,000 nautical miles, completing 31 batches of escort tasks for 59 Chinese and foreign ships. Participated in the 60th-anniversary international fleet review of the Tunisian Navy and actions such as escorting helicopter maritime medical training.
Lasted over 7 months, covering a total distance of 110,000 nautical miles, completing 28 batches of escort tasks for 46 Chinese and foreign ships. During this period, dispatched ships participated in the "Peace-19" multinational maritime joint exercise and international defense exhibition.
Lasted 209 days, covering a total distance of over 110,000 nautical miles. Successfully completed 30 batches of escort tasks for 42 Chinese and foreign ships, providing regional escort services for 124 ships, ensuring "100% safety" for all escorted ships, personnel, and the fleet itself. During this period, Xi'an sailed alone to France for military exchanges and participated in the celebration of the Russian "Navy Day."
Lasted 210 days, safely escorting 24 batches of 41 Chinese and foreign ships. During the escort, the fleet participated in joint military exercises at sea with Russia, South Africa, and Iran.
The mission lasted 171 days, covering 83,765 nautical miles. The fleet safely escorted 30 batches of 50 Chinese and foreign ships, providing special escort for 17 Chinese ships, dealing with 14 suspected pirate boats approaching escorted ships, and participating in the China-Pakistan "Guardian of the Sea-2020" joint exercise. During this time, the fleet completed exercises with the Pakistani Navy, including air defense and anti-submarine operations, in a format of mixed and alternating command between the two sides.
Traveled over 100,000 nautical miles, continuously at sea for 170 days without docking for rest, setting a record for the longest continuous time at sea for a People's Navy fleet. Provided escort for 27 batches of 49 Chinese and foreign ships, offering regional escort for over 100 merchant ships passing through the waters off Yemen.
Lasted 184 days, covering a distance of 110,000 nautical miles, completing 38 batches of escort tasks for 52 Chinese and foreign ships. Participated in the "Peace-21" multinational naval joint exercise and the China-Singapore joint naval exercise. Due to epidemic prevention requirements, no port replenishment was organized throughout the mission, setting a new record for the longest continuous time at sea for a People's Navy fleet.
Lasted 165 days, covering a distance of over 90,000 nautical miles, continuously at sea without docking for rest. Verified and drove away 15 batches of 24 suspicious small boats, provided special escort for 16 batches of 28 Chinese merchant ships, monitored the safety of 11 passing merchant ships, ensuring the safe navigation of escorted ships, completing 40 batches of 64 Chinese and foreign ship escort tasks.
Lasted 185 days, covering a distance of over 90,000 nautical miles, continuously at sea without docking for rest. Completed 31 batches of escort tasks for 45 Chinese and foreign ships, providing safety monitoring for 9 passing ships, ensuring the safety of escorted ships.
Lasted 165 days, covering a distance of over 90,000 nautical miles, efficiently completing 28 batches of escort tasks for 48 Chinese and foreign ships. Since the beginning of the mission, the fleet has strictly implemented epidemic prevention and control measures, organized escort operations meticulously, and adopted various methods such as extended escort and relay escort to ensure the safe navigation of escorted ships, effectively safeguarding the safety of international maritime trade routes and regional peace and stability.
Lasted 172 days, covering a distance of nearly 90,000 nautical miles, efficiently completing 30 batches of escort tasks for 50 Chinese and foreign ships. Provided medical assistance to one ship during the mission. Throughout the mission, the fleet strictly implemented epidemic prevention and control measures, organized escort operations meticulously, and adopted various methods such as relay escort, extended escort, and regional escort to ensure the safe navigation of escorted ships.
Lasted 182 days, covering a distance of nearly 90,000 nautical miles, efficiently completing 30 batches of escort tasks for 38 Chinese and foreign ships, continuously at sea without docking for rest. Throughout the mission, the fleet strictly implemented epidemic prevention and control measures, organized escort operations meticulously, and adopted various forms such as relay escort, extended escort, and regional escort to ensure the safe navigation of escorted ships.
Lasted 191 days, covering a distance of over 100,000 nautical miles, smoothly completing 20 batches of escort tasks for 29 Chinese and foreign ships, providing safety monitoring for 11 passing merchant ships. After completing the escort mission on February 29, the escort fleet arrived at Richard's Bay, South Africa, to participate in the joint maritime exercise of China,
Russia, and South Africa. The exercise focused on "Joint Action to Maintain Shipping and Maritime Economic Activity" and included two phases: port and sea. The maritime exercise included fleet maneuvers, mine clearance, anti-piracy, rescue of distressed vessels, and more than 10 other subjects.
Lasted 232 days, with a total mileage of nearly 120,000 nautical miles. During the mission, the fleet successfully completed 16 batches of escort tasks for 21 ships and provided safety monitoring for 16 passing merchant ships. From April 26 to May 2, two warships, excluding Sanya, went to Sudan to carry out the evacuation task and smoothly transported more than 1,000 Chinese and foreign nationals. After completing the evacuation mission, Nanning-class destroyer went to Pakistan, the UAE, and Iran to participate in the "Peace-23" multinational naval joint exercise, the 16th Abu Dhabi Defense Exhibition, and the 7th Naval Defense Exhibition. Also, it participated in the "Security Link-2023" maritime joint exercise.
On November 27, the escort fleet arrived in MyanmarYangon, conducting a 4-day friendly visit, and there are reports that it will also conduct naval security exercises with Myanmar.[26][27]
