Chinese ships will fight pirates

[gpit]

China has announced it is to send naval ships to fight rampant piracy in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Somalia.

State media suggested the force could consist of two destroyers and a supply ship, although officials did not confirm the details of the deployment.

On Wednesday, Malaysian naval forces helped foil an attempt to hijack a Chinese ship by Somali pirates.

The latest operation is a first for Beijing, which has until now pursued a policy of military non-interference.

China's navy, along with the rest of its military, has not often strayed far from home.

But China's military spending has increased dramatically in recent years as its armed forces undergo a thorough modernisation.

This is its first active deployment beyond the Pacific, and naval analysts will be watching closely to see how the Chinese cope with the complex maintenance and re-supply problems of operating so far from home, the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus says.

UN resolution

Foreign ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told journalists that preparations to dispatch the vessels were under way.

He said further details would be provided when the operation was formally announced.

But the state-run Global Times newspaper said two destroyers and one supply ship would depart from a Chinese naval base on Hainan island after 25 December.

On Wednesday the UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution allowing foreign military forces to pursue pirates on land in Somalia, though Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has said the time is not right for such a mission.

Pirates foiled

The Gulf of Aden is a region of key strategic importance for China whose economy depends heavily upon a secure supply of oil and raw materials from abroad, our correspondent says.

Four or five Chinese ships pass through the busy channel every day.

Seven Chinese ships or crews have been attacked this year, Mr Liu said.

On Wednesday, the Zhenhua 4 was attacked by Somali pirates.

The crew used water cannon and bottles to try to fight off their attackers, according to local media reports. But it was the intervention of Malaysian naval forces, with support from other countries, that thwarted the pirates.

BBC NEWS | Africa | Chinese ships will fight pirates

 

[gpit]

Obviously, UN doesn't come out with a detailed plan; therefore, it is very difficult to estimate/handle "collateral damage" caused by the anti-piracy action.

It wouldn't be surprised that "China threat" will be chanted again on daily basis by some true threaters.

 

[TOPGUN]

Good and they should fight back these pirates !! second do we know the nations helping out in this task ???? sending there navies or going to send??

 

[gpit]

China may send warships to Somalia coast - Los Angeles Times

Beijing's move to possibly send naval vessels to the Gulf of Aden comes as pirates are prevented from taking over a Chinese commercial ship.

By Barbara Demick
December 18, 2008

Reporting from Beijing -- China signaled Wednesday that it may send warships to help fight pirates off the coast of Somalia, a sign of Beijing's increasing willingness to flex its military muscle.

Although China has participated in United Nations peacekeeping operations in Africa, its navy has seldom left the Pacific region. The Global Times, a newspaper tied to the ruling Communist Party, called the possible deployment China's "biggest naval expedition since the 15th century."


China's deputy foreign minister, He Yafei, was quoted by the state news agency as saying that China was "seriously considering sending naval ships to the Gulf of Aden and waters off the Somali coast for escorting operations in the near future."

The remarks during a ministerial meeting of the U.N. Security Council were the first by a senior Chinese official confirming widespread speculation voiced in recent weeks.

The state-controlled press has been rallying support for such a mission with editorials that refer to China's "responsibility" as well as to what the English-language China Daily called an opportunity to "get into the thick of the action." An online poll published by the newspaper today reported that 90% of respondents supported the mission.


China is the only permanent member of the Security Council that has not joined the U.S. in a growing international fleet fighting a brazen wave of piracy launched from Somalia's shores. Among other participants are Denmark, Greece, Turkey, Italy and Malaysia.

"As part of the U.N. Security Council, China has the responsibility to maintain the international peace and security. It also has to do so to protect its own interests," said Liu Naiya, an Africa specialist at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences in Beijing. "Fighting piracy is consistent with the global war against terrorism."

For the Chinese, the urgency of the mission was underscored by an attack Wednesday in the Gulf of Aden on a ship owned by the China Communications Construction Co. The 30 crew members barricaded themselves in their cabins until they were rescued by a multinational force that reportedly swooped in with helicopters. Two other Chinese ships have been attacked since mid-November.

The Global Times reported today that two naval destroyers and a large depot ship would leave the port of Sanya on the South China Sea for an initial deployment of three months in the Gulf of Aden.

Although it has not yet been officially announced, the Somalia mission is generating much debate about what it signals for China's rise as a global power. The United States has encouraged China's participation in international peacekeeping operations, but views the rapid expansion of its navy as a possible threat in the event of war breaking out over Taiwan.

The navy of the People's Liberation Army has not left the Pacific region except for what have been called goodwill tours, such as one in 2006 when two ships visited San Diego.

Much of China's imported oil passes from the Red Sea through the Gulf of Aden to the Indian Ocean.

China also has extensive business interests in Africa, importing oil and minerals, and building roads and other infrastructure, particularly in Sudan, where its ties to the government have drawn criticism from Darfur activists. It has participated in U.N. peacekeeping operations in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and elsewhere. Stratfor, a geopolitical consultancy, wrote that a deployment to Somalia would be a significant step in the evolution of the Chinese navy. "As mainly a land power, China has spent little time through much of its history worrying about a significant naval capability," the Austin, Texas-based firm stated. The Somalia mission "offers the Chinese navy new opportunities for training in extended operations far from the Chinese mainland," it said.

Pirates operating out of northern Somalia are suspected in more than 100 attacks this year in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean and are believed to be holding 17 ships and more than 250 crew members hostage, demanding millions of dollars in ransom.

The Security Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a U.S. resolution that would authorize operations against the pirates' hide-outs on land.

 

[kvLin]

the three are believed to sally out on Dec.26 for a 3-month missioin, with marine corps on board:

171 Haikou (Type 052C) air defence guided missile destroyer --South Sea Fleet
Tonnage:7,000
Introduction

169 Wuhan (Type 052B) multirole missile destroyer --South Sea Fleet
Tonnage:7,500
Introduction

887 Weishanhu depot ship --South Sea Fleet
Tonnage:30,000

 

[slugger]

Wasn't there some talks of Pakistan senidng its Navy to patrol the region?

A Ship's crew is always multinational. Will Pakistan patrol the region to help its citizens?

 

[mDumb]

Bad move. Why display China's military might when the pirates are a bunch of Somali peasants equipped with low-tech weapons.

Think it's better to send 3 Chinese junks equipped with a flame thrower and whale harpoon.

 

[aimarraul]

169 Wuhan ,haha , sounds like i am fighting pirates ,good luck with them!

 

[nitesh]

This is a welcome step by Chinese navy it will surely help in fighting this menace.

Are these ships also carrying the marine commandos there?

 

[slugger]

It is really unfair - a merchant vessel carries crew from different countries. When the Navies patrol the region they are looking after the safety of all the crew members.

When they launch a rescue mission, they are rescuing all the crew. Yet when it comes to patrolling, only a few nations [like U.S. U.K China India etc] are sharing the responsibility of their well-bieng.

Every nation's Navy must send its ships for performing protectitive escorts

 

[kvLin]

It is really unfair - a merchant vessel carries crew from different countries. When the Navies patrol the region they are looking after the safety of all the crew members.

When they launch a rescue mission, they are rescuing all the crew. Yet when it comes to patrolling, only a few nations [like U.S. U.K China India etc] are sharing the responsibility of their well-bieng.

Every nation's Navy must send its ships for performing protectitive escorts

guess what a mess it'll be, if all countries send their warships to Aden gulf.

the maritime patrol by few major sea forces are more symbolic than effective, until multinational commandos blanket the pirates' home.

 

[slugger]

guess what a mess it'll be, if all countries send their warships to Aden gulf.

What kind of mess will there be?

the maritime patrol by few major sea forces are more symbolic than effective

You are absolutely correct. You only reiterated my point that all capable Navies must send their vessels to patrol the region

All the countries of the world expect the Navies of a few countires to patrol this region and mantian effective safety for sailors from all over the world.
They forget that these Navies have other duties also and those would be affected if more vessels are deployed for piracy patrolling by these Navies.

If a country refuses to send at least a few vessels to protect the safety of their own people in that region and insteads expects others to do the job of saving, it shows something very bad.

 

[kvLin]

What kind of mess will there be?

I think the current key should be concerted action no matter under whose leadership,rather than number of patrolling warships.

and you never beat those scattered pirates with missiles.

 

[kvLin]

Bad move. Why display China's military might when the pirates are a bunch of Somali peasants equipped with low-tech weapons.

Think it's better to send 3 Chinese junks equipped with a flame thrower and whale harpoon.

dear mDumb,since you're likely from Africa, how do you look at the Somali pirates,who're said being supported by some countries? I know they were also paupers before they took to picaroon.

and what seems to be the best solution to get the gulf safe?

 

[mDumb]

dear mDumb,since you're likely from Africa, how do you look at the Somali pirates,who're said being supported by some countries? I know they were also paupers before they took to picaroon.

and what seems to be the best solution to get the gulf safe?

What countries? Plural???

Think Sino has been duped by Uncle Sam to send its military might there. Never trust Uncle Sam for anything!!! Doesn't Sino concern about Uncle Sam's capturing the ships' Communication and Radar Signature?

Don't think sending the best navy ship (of any country) there can stop the pirates (if this is the intention). So, why Uncle Sam is sponsoring a UN resolution for foreign navy ships to fight the pirates?

If the intention is to truly wipe out the pirates then identify the countries that are harboring the pirates' loot and send special forces (Navy SEAL) there to raid their hide out(s) and recapture the loot. Or use drones to fire missiles at their hide out(s). Thus, Uncle Sam can do it alone without dragging other foreign navies.