China’s Navy escort missions attest its big power responsibility

The 15^th Chinese Navy Escort Task Force paid a honorary goodwill visit to Kenya at the Mbaraki Berth in Mombasa from January 2 to 5, 2014. This was the first Chinese navy escort fleet to visit Kenya since China started its escort missions in Somali waters at the end of 2008 and was in honor of the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between China and Kenya.

The visit by the 15^th Chinese Navy Escort Task Force not only highlighted the genuine friendship between China and Kenya but also affirmed China’s solemn promise to safeguard world peace and security. It also marked a happy occasion in China-Kenya relations with a great historical significance. The great Chinese navigator and naval pioneer, Zheng He, visited the Kenyan coast of Malindi and completed several epic voyages in East Africa after defeating major pirates in Somali waters as early as 1368-1644 AD, during the Ming Dynasty.

The Task Force had just successfully completed its escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters and was on its journey back to China after handing over to the 16^th Chinese navy Escort Task Force. It was composed of two ships; “Jing Gangshan” Landing Platform Dock (LPD) 999 and “Heng Shui” Frigate 572. In the past four months, this glorious fleet escorted 181 ships from countries all over the world, with a success rate of 100%.

Since 1978 when China began opening up and reforming its economy, it has gradually accumulated its national strength, improved its image and taken an active role in international affairs. As it marches towards the centre of the world arena, China has been compelled to take International responsibilities matching its power, status and position. Despite inexperience in fulfilling great power responsibilities, the Asian nation has been swiftly thrust into the role of a great power and has resolutely taken these responsibilities in a stride. This is a profound interpretation of China’s image as a responsible power.

Great power responsibilities include financial, humanitarian, global governance and politics, international security etc. China is positively engaging the International community in addressing these challenges in a more primary role. It has increased its involvement in non-traditional security issues, and sought a more understanding of the world, especially Africa, to achieve a strong sense of responsibility.

The UN Security Council adopted four resolutions in 2008 calling on all countries and regions to help patrol the gulf and waters off Somalia, where increasing piracy was posing a great danger to international shipping in one of the world's busiest sea lanes. As a responsible member of the international community, China felt obliged to implement the United Nations Security Council resolutions to curb piracy on the gulf of Eden and protect the safety of marine routes.

Since then, it has undertaken navy escort missions and anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and successful endeared itself to the international community which in the beginning were wary of China’s intentions and feared that it would challenge the security or commercial interests of other countries in the region. Those doubts have been cast by the highly disciplined task forces that have been discreet and above board with strict observance of UN resolutions and other relevant international laws. They have proved that they are simply interested in guarding the international waters from armed pirates who are our common enemies.

Former Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said during a regular briefing that China will take concrete actions to ensure world peace and stability, and practice the people-first foreign policy. He also stressed that China will adhere to the path of the peaceful development and practice a non-aggressive defense policy. This is a positive step for China’s diplomacy and its commitment to global security is bound to lead to a better and a more peaceful world.

China has sent a total of 16 task forces of ships to the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia for escort missions. Among the over 5,000 vessels they have escorted, more than 50% are foreign vessels. During these escort missions, the officers and men of the Chinese naval escort taskforces effectively ensured the safety of ships and men on board carrying goods and humanitarian supplies of international organizations including the United Nations World Food Program, winning widespread praise from home and abroad.

Maintaining world peace and advancing common development is an important mission for the Chinese military in this new era. China understands that it bears a great responsibility as an emerging power and explains that participation in world security cooperation is by no means an enlargement in sphere of influence or even territorial expansion. Rather, it is for an enabling regional security environment, for interests to be shared with other nations, and for fulfillment of its due international responsibilities and humanitarian obligations. These deployments do not go against China's foreign policy of non-interference in other nations' affairs.

China has become a player and builder of international peace and security. The times and tides of the 21^st century point to China’s new reading that seeks bonds of cooperation, peace and prosperity.