Just
the other day I noted we still hadn't heard from China regarding Somali piracy. Well,
they have started talking.
A Chinese general has called for the country's navy to join the fight against Somali pirates, saying the mission would boost China's international stature and give its sailors valuable experience in fighting open ocean combat operations far from their home ports.
Chinese ships have been among those seized in a wave of pirate attacks this year, including the fishing vessel Tianyu No. 8, seized in mid-November.
It makes sense. China and Taiwan are the largest two Navy's of the top 30 not in South America that sends ships for operations in that region. The quote at the bottom of the article is money.
"Dispatching ships is a very common act and we wouldn't just be protecting Chinese shipping," Jin said. "We are a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and these are the duties of major nation."
I think that might be the smell of maturity. Just one more interesting footnote in what looks to be an evolving PLAN maritime strategy in the second part of 2008. They really are poised for a breakout into the blue next year. It will be interesting to watch, not just what they do, but how we react.
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