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China joins anti-piracy mission

— Photo: Xinhua

Escort mission: The Chinese naval fleet including two destroyers and a supply ship set off for waters off Somalia on Friday.

SANYA (Hainan Province): The Chinese Navy set sail here on Friday for its first deep-sea escorting mission against the spreading piracy menace.

The convoy, which includes two of China’s most sophisticated naval destroyers, is heading for the Gulf of Aden where pirates have become increasingly common.

Among the 800 crew are 70 special forces members who are trained to neutralise pirates in the event of an onboard attack.

The primary mission of the two destroyers, DDG-169 Wuhan and DDG-171 Haikou, and a supply vessel Weishanhu, is to join the multi-national efforts endorsed by four United Nations Security Council resolutions to patrol one of the world’s busiest marine routes.

The naval task force from the South China Sea Fleet of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy is equipped with China’s most advanced weapon and surveillance systems.

“It’s our job to ensure safety of Chinese merchant vessels across the gulf. It is also China’s contribution to the international community for world peace,” Rear-Admiral Du Jingchen, who is commanding the expedition, told Xinhua.

Without any landing plans during their three-month mission, Rear-Admiral Du said, “China definitely has neither the intention of threatening interests of any sovereign parties nor the interest in breaking up power equilibrium in the region.”

DDG-171 Haikou, one of the most sophisticated destroyers, has both air and underwater defensive capability with a phased-array radar and a vertically launched long-range air defence missile system. The defence capabilities were designed indigenously.

The multi-purpose missile destroyer DDG-169 Wuhan, the flagship, is equipped with 16 anti-ship missiles, 48 surface-to-air missiles, close-in weapons system and a helicopter.

The most versatile supply vessel in service, Weishanhu, is able to conduct 24/7 replenishment to battle vessels within short periods of time.

In addition to protecting Chinese civilian vessels, the task force would also offer escort, upon request, to foreign vessels, said Rear-Admiral Du. The service will also be available to humanitarian relief efforts organised by multi-national mechanisms such as the United Nations World Food Program.

After about 10 days’ voyage to the designated marine zone, the warships are going to start, most likely on Jan. 6., receiving radio appeals in the first ever escorting in high seas and properly react. This service will be provided free of charge. Since June, the Security Council has adopted four resolutions calling on all countries to take part in patrolling the gulf and waters off Somalia. The latest authorisation allowed countries to “undertake all necessary measures in Somalia.

The authorised but voluntary international intervention also includes naval vessels from Denmark, Germany, India, Italy, Russia and the United States — which are in concerted vigil over the seaway from the gulf to the Suez Canal, which is the shortest route connecting Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. — Xinhua

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