China Navy Holds First Joint Anti-Piracy Drill With NATO
BEIJING, Nov 27 (Reuters) – Chinese naval forces concerned in anti-piracy patrols within the Gulf of Aden have held their first joint drill with NATO ships finishing up the identical mission, China’s Defence Ministry mentioned on Friday, as China seeks a higher world safety position.
The train occurred on Wednesday, the ministry mentioned in a press release, exhibiting photos of Chinese and NATO officers chatting on the bridge of a ship and simulating a commando raid.
The train will assist enhance communications between ships on anti-piracy duties in order that China and NATO can collectively keep maritime safety and stability within the Gulf of Aden, the ministry added. It gave no different particulars.
China, whose service provider ships and oil tankers are heavy customers of the waters off Yemen and Somalia, has been an enthusiastic participant within the anti-piracy patrols.
Earlier this 12 months Chinese warships within the space helped evacuate folks from Yemen’s civil struggle.
China has been making an attempt to imagine a extra proactive overseas safety coverage, because it seeks to tackle a higher world position commensurate with its place because the world’s second largest financial system.
This week, China mentioned it was in talks with the Horn of Africa nation Djibouti to construct logistics “facilities” to assist Chinese peacekeeping and anti-piracy missions.
In an effort to dampen fears about Chinese plans related to its more and more trendy and assured army, Beijing has repeatedly mentioned it doesn’t need army bases overseas.
However specialists have mentioned China is probably going someday to have to beat its discomfort about abroad army bases, as its forces are drawn into defending its rising abroad pursuits. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Michael Perry)
(c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2015.
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