China To Send 49th Naval Escort Fleet To Protect Shipping In Gulf Of Aden And Somali Waters

China will send a new naval escort fleet to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia in mid-August, the Ministry of National Defense said on Tuesday.

The deployment will be China’s 49th naval escort fleet in the region. It will replace the 48th fleet, which left for the mission in October last year, the ministry said.

The new fleet will include the guided-missile destroyer Kunming, guided-missile frigate Yueyang and comprehensive supply ship Luomahu.

China has maintained a regular naval escort presence in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters since 2008. The mission is aimed at protecting the security of international shipping routes and is carried out in line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The ministry said Chinese naval forces have escorted more than 7,000 Chinese and foreign vessels since the mission began. They have also rescued, protected or assisted ships in distress.

Chinese naval ships have also taken part in evacuating Chinese citizens and foreign nationals from some war-torn countries.

China’s 49th escort fleet

The three ships will take over from the 48th escort fleet as part of China’s continuing naval escort operations in the region.

The Ministry of National Defense said the Chinese navy is committed to building and supporting a maritime community with a shared future. It said the navy would continue contributing to the security of global sea lanes and regional peace and stability.

The ministry did not provide details on the specific vessels the new fleet will escort or its planned schedule after deployment.

China’s naval escort mission since 2008

China began its regular naval escort mission in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters in 2008. Since then, successive Chinese naval fleets have operated in the region.

According to the ministry, Chinese naval ships have escorted more than 7,000 Chinese and foreign vessels and assisted ships in distress.

The navy has also supported evacuations of Chinese citizens and foreign nationals from some countries affected by war.

The 49th fleet’s deployment will continue that long-running escort mission, with the new ships taking over duties from the 48th fleet in mid-August.

References: China scio, Xinhua