China sends warship to Libya for escort evacuation

[webber]

The PLA Navy has just dispatched Xuzhou, a Type 054 Jiangkai-II class missile frigate, from the ongoing seventh PLAN anti-piracy task force deployment off Somalia to steam to Libyan coast to provide support and protection for the ongoing evacuation mission there. The escort mission has been approved by the Central Military Commission, according to Xinhua, and at least 6,300 of the roughly 30,000 PRC citizens in Libya have been evacuated. The news agency adds that the Chinese evacuation is also utilizing chartered aircraft, overland routes to Egypt and Tunisia, ships from China’s major state shipping firms, and Greek merchant vessels in the region, which are said to be closely coordinating their operations with the Chinese government and plan to evacuate up to 15,000 Chinese from Libya.

Beijing’s speedy response shows nimbleness in handling a situation where descent into chaos has directly impacted Chinese citizens’ security. As of 23 February 2011, the Ministry of Commerce said at least 27 Chinese-run construction sites had been attacked by armed individuals and that there were numerous injuries. Commissioned in 2008, Xuzhou is a 4,000-ton frigate with a Vertical Launch System capable of launching HHQ-16 surface-to-air missiles to protect against air threats and a hangar with one Z-9 helicopter. It is a solid medium-sized warship, but cannot carry many people and thus would not be useful as a rescue vessel. Xuzhou’s escort mission is likely designed to serve several related immediate objectives, including avoiding a USS Cole-style terrorism or irregular attack scenario that could harm evacuees, and sending a clear message to various elements in Libya not to harm Chinese civilians or disrupt their evacuation. This latest initiative is part of a larger ongoing increase in Chinese power, presence, and influence around the world, and should come as no surprise. China has global interests, cannot free ride forever, and requires a presence in critical areas and situations in order to have a voice.

 

[CardSharp]

Who’s the Superpower? Lessons from Libya

China is sending a warship, among other planes and ships, to evacuate its citizens from Libya. According to the report, “The PLA Navy has just dispatched Xuzhou, a Type 054 Jiangkai-II class missile frigate, from the ongoing seventh PLAN anti-piracy task force deployment off Somalia to steam to Libyan coast to provide support and protection for the ongoing evacuation mission there.”

In recent days, the White House has been saying that the United States had to watch its words and actions because American citizens were at risk in Libya. So instead of acting, we are building a diplomatic coalition. China has taken a different tack: to use power. Instead of biting their tongue, the Chinese appear to be making it clear to the Qadhafi regime that no danger to Chinese workers will be tolerated.

That’s the path the United States should follow as well. As I’ve said elsewhere, we should be making it clear to Qadhafi and his remaining henchmen that the safety of Americans in Libya is their safety; if Americans are attacked or held hostage, they will end up the way Saddam Hussein did. But the use of power will do more than ensure the safety of Americans; it will also help bring Libya’s civil war to a better end. Today there are no doubt many Libyan officials and military officers who are on the fence. They know that a victorious Qadhafi will take vengeance against those who opposed him, so they won’t jump until they are confident he will lose. American power can help them make that decision. We too should be moving ships and planes, and visibly taking the steps that show our own power. The message should be that we want Qadhafi to lose and will help ensure that he does. The sooner we do this, the fewer Libyans will lose their lives to Qadhafi’s murderous machine and the sooner the violence in Libya will end.

It’s depressing that we need to take lessons from Beijing about how to be a world power, but perhaps this will persuade the White House that its reticence is counter-productive. To see what is right and not do it is want of courage, Confucius said. In this situation, with Americans at risk and thousands of Libyans dying, what’s right is a display and utilization of American power.

Elliott Abrams: Pressure Points » Blog Archive » Who’s the Superpower? Lessons from Libya

 

[no_name]

First ever mission to the medditerranean

 

[CardSharp]

First ever mission to the medditerranean

Seems like they were on call doing patrols in the gulf of Aden, not too far out of their way.

 

[siegecrossbow]

Seems like they were on call doing patrols in the gulf of Aden, not too far out of their way.

Still needs permission to get through the Suez canal. This is a good test for Egypt's new regime.

 

[Tigershark]

Nice to see PLAN's shiny new toys being put to good use.

 

[Akasa]

Should have sent a Type 052B or Type 052C

 

[CardSharp]

Should have sent a Type 052B or Type 052C

We likely sent what was close.

 

[Shifu]

Does these chinese ships carry their full range of missiles and bombs when they go on such duties?

 

[CardSharp]

Does these chinese ships carry their full range of missiles and bombs when they go on such duties?

Don't know, they were likely kitted out for anti-piracy duties. Whether this includes the full compliment of missiles is something that we wouldn't likely know about.

 

[tanlixiang28776]

Don't know, they were likely kitted out for anti-piracy duties. Whether this includes the full compliment of missiles is something that we wouldn't likely know about.

Very likely. You don't just take out hot VLS missiles very commonly.

 

[Akasa]

We likely sent what was close.

A destroyer has more tonnage and thus more carrying capacity than a frigate

 

[tanlixiang28776]

A destroyer has more tonnage and thus more carrying capacity than a frigate

I would have sent the LPDs loaded with AC 313s and Amphibious transports.

 

[Akasa]

I would have sent the LPDs loaded with AC 313s and Amphibious transports.

But again, a LPD does not have as much defensive capabilities as a destroyer or frigate.

 

[tanlixiang28776]

But again, a LPD does not have as much defensive capabilities as a destroyer or frigate.

we're not there to fight a army but to protect against pirates while using helicopters and transports to evacuate citizens.