Chinese anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden

[2] On 24 November 2008, during a meeting between China Minister of National Defense Liang Guanglie, the visiting Inspector General (equivalent to Commander of the Navy) Wolfgang Norting General, Minister of National Defense of the People's Republic of China, An invitation to join forces in the fight against Somali piracy.

Marine Corps members boarded a merchant ship by helicopter, quickly raided pirates, and rescued the kidnapped crew.

"[12] On December 16, 2008, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs He Yafei attended the Ministerial Meeting on Piracy Issues at the United Nations Security Council.

He Yafei stated, 'China is actively considering dispatching naval vessels to the waters of the Gulf of Aden and Somalia for escort missions in the near future.

'[20][21] On December 20, 2008, Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Spokesperson Hu Changming officially announced that of the Chinese Navy South China Sea Fleet would dispatch a joint fleet including two destroyers and one supply ship, On December 26, it set sail from Sanya to Somalia waters.

[22] On the same day, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China Liu Jianchao also officially released to the outside world the Chinese Navy's decision to send ships escort missions to the waters off Somalia.

The exercise focused on "Joint Action to Maintain Shipping and Maritime Economic Activity" and included two phases: port and sea.

The maritime exercise included fleet maneuvers, mine clearance, anti-piracy, rescue of distressed vessels, and more than 10 other subjects.